Chest pressure while exercising can have a number of causes. One of the most concerning causes of intermittent chest pressure is related to the functioning of your heart. If the pain only comes on during exertion and stops after discontinuing the activity, then this pressure or pain could be angina.
Angina
Angina is chest pain precipitated by exertion, heavy meals or emotional distress. Pain is gradual in onset and is usually described as heaviness, tightness or crushing. Pain is retrosternal, or located behind the sternum, and may radiate to the jaw, neck arms or shoulder. Most episodes usually resolve within 20 minutes after beginning and respond to rest and nitroglycerin administered sublingually.
Associated Symptoms
Associated symptoms of angina include altered mental status, diaphoresis, epigastric discomfort, generalized weakness, light-headedness, nausea or vomiting, and shortness of breath.
Medical Evaluation
When presenting this complaint to your physician, she may want to perform some laboratory tests and a physical examination to evaluate your heart. Labs usually consist of measuring concentrations of cardiac enzymes. Chest radiography and electrocardiography may be necessary. An exercise stress test may be performed on you by your physician if further diagnostic testing is needed. This test allows the examiner to evaluate for evidence of ischemia while you are active. During the test, you walk or run on a treadmill while continuously being monitored via ECG. This study is done after acute chest pain has resolved and you are symptom free.
Considerations
If you have any type of pressure or pain in the chest, have it evaluated by your physician. You may need to start taking medication such as a beta blocker, calcium-channel blocker, ace inhibitor or diuretic to control your blood pressure. You may also need a medication that may help relieve the chest pressure, such as nitroglycerin.
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