"What Causes Shortness of Breath, Chest Tightness, and a Feeling of Being Stuck in the Chest?"

Update Date: 2024-10-12 Source: Network

Shortness of breath and a feeling of constriction in the chest can be caused by various reasons, including cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, muscular and skeletal issues. Here are the details:

1. Cardiovascular Diseases

Shortness of breath and chest constriction may be manifestations of cardiovascular diseases, such as myocardial ischemia caused by coronary atherosclerosis. In this scenario, the myocardium fails to receive adequate blood supply, leading to symptoms like chest tightness and shortness of breath. According to statistics, coronary atherosclerosis is one of the primary causes of these symptoms.

2. Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases like pulmonary embolism and pleurisy can also cause shortness of breath and chest constriction. Pulmonary embolism occurs when a deep vein thrombosis or other embolus blocks the pulmonary artery, leading to pulmonary circulation impairment and symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath. Pleurisy, on the other hand, is caused by irritation of the pleura, resulting in pleural effusion, which can lead to dyspnea and chest pain.

3. Muscular and Skeletal Issues

Problems like strain in chest wall muscles and thoracic disc herniation can also trigger feelings of chest tightness, shortness of breath, and chest oppression. These issues may arise from overuse or injury, causing damage or inflammation to local muscle fibers, which subsequently leads to related symptoms.

Apart from the aforementioned reasons, psychological factors like anxiety and depression can also cause shortness of breath and chest constriction. Poor air ventilation and digestive system issues are among the potential triggers. It is recommended to undergo chest X-ray, chest CT, and physical examination under a doctor's guidance to determine the underlying cause.