Chest Pain —
Never Ignore It
Chest pain can originate from your lungs, heart, or both. Understanding the cause is critical — and only a specialist can tell the difference. Dr Nilesh Sonawane evaluates and treats both lung and heart-related chest pain.
Why You Must Not Ignore Chest Pain
Chest pain is never "just stress"
While anxiety can cause chest discomfort, never assume chest pain is harmless without a proper medical evaluation.
Lung causes are often missed
Many patients with pleuritis, pulmonary embolism, or pneumonia are initially misdiagnosed. A pulmonologist can identify lung-related chest pain accurately.
Early diagnosis saves lives
Conditions like pulmonary embolism and heart attacks have much better outcomes when treated within the first hour of symptoms.
Recurring chest pain needs investigation
Even if chest pain resolves on its own, recurring episodes are a red flag that requires spirometry, ECG, and specialist review.
When Your Lungs Cause Chest Pain
Many patients are surprised to learn that lung conditions are a leading cause of chest pain. As a pulmonologist, Dr. Sonawane specialises in diagnosing and treating these conditions.
Pleuritis (Pleurisy)
Inflammation of the lining around the lungs causes sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Often linked to infections or autoimmune conditions.
Pulmonary Embolism
A blood clot in the lung arteries causes sudden, severe chest pain with breathlessness. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate medical attention.
Pneumonia & Lung Infections
Bacterial or viral infections cause chest pain, fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. The pain is often dull and worsens when taking deep breaths.
Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung)
Air leaking into the space around the lung causes sudden sharp chest pain and breathlessness. Can occur spontaneously, especially in tall, thin individuals.
Asthma & COPD Flare-ups
Severe asthma attacks or COPD exacerbations can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and pain due to the effort of breathing against narrowed airways.
Pulmonary Hypertension
High blood pressure in the lung arteries causes chest pain, breathlessness, and fatigue. Often mistaken for heart disease and requires specialist evaluation.
When Your Heart Causes Chest Pain
Cardiac causes of chest pain range from manageable conditions to life-threatening emergencies. Recognising the difference can save your life.
Angina (Reduced Blood Flow)
Chest tightness or pressure caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. Typically triggered by exertion or stress and relieved by rest. A warning sign of coronary artery disease.
Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Blockage of a coronary artery causes crushing chest pain, often radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back. Accompanied by sweating, nausea, and breathlessness. Call emergency services immediately.
Pericarditis
Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart causes sharp chest pain that improves when leaning forward. Often follows a viral infection.
Aortic Dissection
A tear in the main artery from the heart causes sudden, severe tearing chest pain radiating to the back. This is a critical emergency requiring immediate surgery.
Heart Failure
When the heart cannot pump efficiently, fluid builds up in the lungs causing chest discomfort, breathlessness, and fatigue — especially when lying flat.
Arrhythmia (Irregular Heartbeat)
Abnormal heart rhythms can cause chest fluttering, palpitations, and discomfort. Some arrhythmias are benign; others can be life-threatening.
Emergency Warning Signs
Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital immediately if you experience any of these:
Crushing, squeezing, or pressure-like chest pain
Pain spreading to left arm, jaw, neck, or back
Sudden shortness of breath with chest pain
Sweating, nausea, or vomiting with chest pain
Coughing up blood
Rapid or irregular heartbeat with chest discomfort
Feeling faint or losing consciousness
Chest pain lasting more than 15 minutes
Time is critical — every minute without treatment increases the risk of permanent damage or death. Do not drive yourself. Call for help immediately.
Lung Pain vs Heart Pain — Key Differences
These are general patterns. Only a medical evaluation can confirm the true cause. Do not self-diagnose.
Lung-Origin Chest Pain
- Sharp or stabbing pain, often one-sided
- Worsens when breathing deeply, coughing, or sneezing
- May be accompanied by fever or productive cough
- Breathlessness that worsens with activity
- Wheezing or crackling sounds when breathing
- Coughing up blood or discoloured mucus
Heart-Origin Chest Pain
- Pressure, squeezing, or crushing sensation in the centre
- Radiates to left arm, jaw, neck, or upper back
- Triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress
- Accompanied by sweating, nausea, or dizziness
- Palpitations or feeling of irregular heartbeat
- Relieved by rest or nitroglycerin (in angina)
Don't Wait — Get Your Chest Pain Evaluated Today
Serving patients from Ravet, Punawale, Nigadi and Kiwale — Dr Nilesh Sonawane at Sector 29, Ravet provides same-day chest pain evaluation including ECG and chest X-ray. Early evaluation can be life-saving.
Dr Nilesh Sonawane, Ravet, Pimpri-Chinchwad