Serious Causes Pain that is on the left or in the center of the back, in combination with chest pain, could be related to a heart condition or heart problems. If you experience chest pain along with back pain, seek emergency medical attention. This could be a sign of a heart attack or other serious condition. Sometimes muscle problems can cause chest and upper back pain.
Repetitive use or overuse of several muscle groups, for example, through activities such as paddling, can cause pain in the chest, back, or chest wall. Chest and back pain can be a cause for concern, especially if a person has an undiagnosed condition, such as heart disease or cancer. It is also possible for a muscle strain in the chest to refer pain to the upper back and vice versa. For example, a strain in an intercostal muscle (muscle between adjacent ribs) can cause a band of pain that is felt along the rib, both in the chest and upper back.
Back pain may occur on its own at first before causing chest pain. Back and chest pain can also be progressive, meaning it worsens over time. Progressive pain can begin as a dull, aching pain and develop into a sharp burning sensation with certain movements. When a blood clot travels through the bloodstream and lodges in the lungs, this can cause acute pleurisy, shortness of breath, and a rapid heartbeat.
It can also cause fever and shock. Pulmonary embolism is more likely after deep vein thrombosis, or after remaining immobile for several days after surgery, or as a complication of cancer. In addition to pain, other symptoms you may experience include muscle spasms and stiffness in the affected area of the spine, which can restrict movement. Any recent injury or change in your lifestyle and habits can also help your doctor determine the most appropriate diagnosis for upper back and chest pain.
Stable angina is a predictable type of chest pain that occurs when blood flow to the heart is restricted. Although chest pain is a common symptom, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute reports that 25 percent of people with lung cancer reported back pain as a symptom. You may also experience sharp, burning pain along your upper back, along your ribs, and in your chest. While the symptoms of a heart attack vary slightly in men and women, both may experience chest pain along with pain in other areas, such as the upper back.
Because the spine, ribs, and organs such as the heart are so close to each other, pain in one area can cause discomfort in other areas. A CT or MRI scan can give the doctor a detailed view of what is happening in the back and chest. A vague, recurrent discomfort can result from these painful sores on the lining of the stomach or in the first part of the small intestine. May cause sudden, severe pain with a tearing or tearing sensation that extends to the neck, back, or abdomen.
If in doubt, call your doctor for any chest pain you have, especially if it occurs suddenly or is not relieved by anti-inflammatory medications or other self-care measures, such as changing your diet. But chest pain can also be caused by problems with the lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, or nerves, for example. Seek immediate medical attention if pain in the upper back and chest are accompanied by any warning symptoms, such as numbness, weakness, nausea, dizziness, fever, chills, or problems with balance or coordination. Your family medical history will also help your doctor determine if you are at increased risk for certain genetic or inherited diseases that could cause pain in your upper back and chest.
Chest pain on the right side may be caused by muscle strain, heartburn, or another undiagnosed condition. .
