What Does Sharp Pain In The Right Side Of The Chest Mean

What Does Sharp Pain in the Right Side of the Chest Mean Sharp pain on the right side of the chest can result from a variety of issues ranging from acute shortlived muscle strain to more serious conditions involving the heart or lungs In women it may be linked to breast changes or less commonly heart attacks which are more typically felt on the left side in men Infections like pneumonia or pleurisy can also cause sharp discomfort in this area and may require medical attention rnrn Since sharp chest pain can be a sign of something lifethreatening its important to know when to call versus when to see a healthcare provider Call immediately if you experience sudden severe chest pain that is accompanied by other concerning symptoms like difficulty breathing lightheadedness or coughing up blood rnrnVerywell JR Beernrn Females may experience sharp pain in the right side of the chest as a result of rnrn Heart attack The classic heart attack symptom is sudden severe chest pain in the center or left side of the chest However females having a heart attack may note a burning sensation anywhere in the chest not just in the center or left side Some females have no chest pain at all but experience other vague symptoms like nausea cold sweats or lightheadedness rnrn Mastitis The term mastitis refers to painful swelling in the breast that is usually caused by infection The infection often occurs during breastfeeding due to blocked milk ducts or bacteria that enters through cracked nipples Mastitis is known to cause sharp or aching breast pain and tenderness Some people also experience signs of infection including fever and flulike symptoms rnrn Fibrocystic breasts Painful lumpy breasts are called fibrocystic breasts This is a common and normal breast condition in which cysts and thickened tissues form in the breasts usually due to menstrual cyclerelated hormone fluctuations Symptoms include swollen lumpy and painful breasts that get worse before your period starts and better once it begins rnrn Breast cancer A breast tumor may cause pain but not always In most cases a breast tumor feels like a painless hard mass with irregular edges Sometimes all or part of the breast swells The nipple may also be painful rnrn Clogged milk ducts A clogged milk duct occurs when a milk duct becomes obstructed preventing milk from flowing properly As a result milk can accumulate in the breast tissue resulting in localized pain tenderness and swelling in the affected area Some people may also feel a hard lump or knot in the breast Clogged milk ducts typically only affect one breast at a time rnrn Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States Many forms of heart disease cause some sort of chest pain including rnrn Coronary artery disease CAD Coronary artery disease is the most common heart disease affecting about million US adults It occurs when arteries supplying blood to the heart become hardened and narrowed CAD can cause pain on either side of the chest including the right side where the ascending aorta is located rnrn Pericarditis Chest pain is a common symptom of pericarditis or inflammation in the protective membrane around the heart pericardium It can be caused by infections heart attack heart surgery and some medical conditions Pericarditis pain typically affects the left side of the chest but can occur on the right It is described as a sharp stabbing pain that often worsens with certain positions and intensifies with deep breaths rnrn Aortic dissection This occurs when a tear in the aorta the largest blood vessel allows blood to flow between its layers potentially reducing blood flow to organs and depriving them of oxygen This condition causes severe sudden and sharp pain that can occur anywhere in the chest It is often described as a tearing sensation and can lead to unconsciousness It can result from trauma high blood pressure or connective tissue disorders like Marfan syndrome rnrn The three lobes of the right lung as well as the lining of the right lung and associated lymph nodes are located on the right side of the chest The lungs themselves do not have pain receptors but you may still experience pain that seems like it is in your right lung rnrn Possible causes of rightsided chest pain include rnrn Pneumonia This infection occurs when the air sacs alveoli in the lungs get inflamed causing them to fill with fluid or pus Pneumonia can lead to common symptoms such as a cough and fever as well as chills and difficulty breathing When the right lung is affected pneumonia can also cause pain on the right side of the chest that may feel worse when you breathe or cough rnrn Pulmonary embolism Pulmonary emboli occur when a blood clot often originating in the legs deep venous thrombosis breaks off and travels to