Chest pain while jogging can be caused by exercise-induced asthma or stable angina. The generalized area of the chest can make heart and lung pain difficult to distinguish, so consult with your doctor to determine the cause of your chest pain. Many people suffer with chest pain while jogging thinking it's a normal part of physical exertion, but the symptoms are usually treatable.
Identification
Exercise-induced asthma causes chest tightness or pain accompanied with wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. These symptoms may start shortly after you begin jogging or up to 15 minutes after you stop. You may find it difficult to jog for long periods of time. Stable angina will cause chest pain behind your breastbone. The pain will get worse when you stop jogging but will disappear shortly after resting. Your chest will feel tight and can be described as a crushing pain. Sometimes, the symptoms will feel like indigestion and EIA. Stable angina is most common between 6 a.m. and noon.
Causes
You will notice the symptoms of EIA and stable angina during physical activities. Jogging in cold weather will make symptoms of both conditions more severe. If you have EIA, you're sensitive to cold temperatures and dry air since these factors inflame and tighten your airways causing asthma symptoms. Hyperventilation causes you to breathe large amounts of air through your mouth, which worsens your symptoms. Respiratory infections and air pollution can also target EIA. Stable angina symptoms occur from a blockage in your coronary arteries. Your heart needs extra oxygen while jogging, but this narrowing of your coronary arteries does not allow a sufficient amount of oxygen to get to the heart, so you experience chest pain.
Treatment
Using a quick-relief inhaler shortly before jogging can open your airways and control symptoms of EIA for several hours. In some cases, you may need a daily long-term medication, such as inhaled corticosteroids, leukotriene modifiers or long-acting beta agonists. If your symptoms are brought on by allergies, then taking allergy medication in combination with EIA treatments may be required. Stable angina is treated with nitroglycerin pills or sprays.
Prevention
Walking for 15 minutes before jogging can lessen your symptoms of EIA. Breathing through your nose will warm, filter and moisten the air coming into your lungs, which reduces the drying and irritation of your airways. If you jog in cold weather, always wear a scarf over your mouth and nose. Jogging in a humid environment, such as by a lake, can also reduce your EIA symptoms. Stable angina symptoms can be prevented by eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol, reducing stress, losing weight and stopping smoking. You can prevent blood clots, which lead to stable angina symptoms, by taking aspirin or medications such as anticoagulants or blood thinners.
