Some people experience chest pain and a racing heart after exercise. These two symptoms can indicate a variety of diseases and conditions, some potentially life-threatening. If you experience chest pain or a racing heart after you exercise, make sure to talk to your doctor to determine the cause.
Mitral Valve Prolapse
This is a heart problem in which the mitral valve does not properly close. The mitral valve is located between the lower left heart chamber and the upper left chamber in your heart. While it does not usually affect your lifestyle, nearly 10 percent of people in the world have some degree of mitral valve prolapse, according to MedlinePlus. This condition may cause heart palpitations, chest pain, coughing, trouble breathing after exercise, fatigue and shortness of breath when you are lying flat on your back. Your doctor may perform a variety of tests to make an accurate diagnosis; you may not need treatment, but if you do, they include blood thinners, propranolol, anti-arrhythmic drugs, diuretics and possibly surgery.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when the heart's blood vessels become blocked, which in turn results in insufficient amounts of oxygen getting to your heart. After a heart attack, heart muscle either suffers permanent damage or dies. A blood clot blocking off a coronary artery is the most common cause, followed by conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking and high cholesterol, according to MedlinePlus. You may experience chest pain, along with symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, dizziness, cough, sweating, shortness of breath, fainting, and nausea or vomiting. Seek immediate medical treatment if you experience any of these symptoms.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is characterized by your heart no longer being able to pump sufficient amounts of blood throughout your body. Symptoms may include shortness of breath, swelling in your lower limbs, decreased ability to exercise, abdominal swelling, nausea and no appetite, weakness and fatigue, irregular or rapid heartbeat, wheezing or persistent cough, fluid retention causing sudden weight gain, trouble concentrating, chest pain and sudden fluid buildup. Diagnosis includes a physical exam, several different laboratory tests, chest X-ray, echocardiogram, heart CT scan, MRI of the heart, electrocardiogram, cardiac stress testing, nuclear heart scans and heart catheterization.
Pulmonary Hypertension
This condition is characterized by the blood pressure in your lungs' arteries being abnormally high. It results in your heart's right side having to work extra hard. Symptoms may include fast heart rate, lower limb swelling, chest pain, fatigue, skin or lips appearing bluish, fainting or dizziness and weakness. Treatment includes controlling the underlying conditions, medications to control symptoms and lifestyle changes.
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