Common Causes of Right-Sided Chest Pain: What to Do, When to call a Doctor

Common Causes of Right-Sided Chest Pain: What to Do, When to call a Doctor

TribecaCare
22nd May 2025

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321146#causes

What is Right-sided Chest Pain?

Most people associate severe pain on the left side with a heart attack, and know other symptoms can be a radiating pain down the left arm as well as pain along the jaw line. But pain on the right side of the chest may also occur and older people should not neglect this. Some of the underlying causes can be symptoms of a serious problem and need medical help and treatment.

“Pain on the right side of the chest can result from muscle strain or digestive problems. It can also indicate an injury, cardiovascular disease, a serious lung problem, or another health condition that needs attention. Possible causes of right-sided chest pain include an injury, acid reflux, a heart or lung problem, and an infection, such as pneumonia.

Some causes, such as muscle strain, go away without treatment within a few days. However, chest pain can also stem from a more serious condition, including a heart or lung issue. Anyone with concerns about a new or worsening chest pain should seek medical advice”.

Some Causes of right-sided chest pain

“Right-sided chest pain can occur due to many different conditions and injuries.

1. Anxiety or stress

Severe anxiety or stress can trigger an anxiety attack or a panic attack. A person who has previously had a panic attack may develop panic disorder, in which they fear another panic attack. This can cause symptoms that resemble those of a heart attack, such as:

chest pain
difficulty breathing
a rapid heart rate or palpitations
sweating

2. Muscle strain

Many different muscles make up the chest wall. A person can strain or sprain these muscles during exercise. As a result, the chest will feel painful and tender to the touch. This type of chest pain usually goes away with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

3. Trauma

A traumatic injury, such as a fall, a blow to the chest, or a motor vehicle accident, can damage the structures that make up the chest and the heart, lungs, and other internal organs. There may be bruising or swelling, and a person may have difficulty breathing. It is best to seek emergency help following a chest injury. Damage to the internal organs may not be visible but can be life threatening.

4. Costochondritis and other inflammatory conditions

Costochondritis refers to inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, but people may need extra rest, pain relievers, and hot or cold compresses to aid recovery. It can lead to severe pain when a person is:

lying down
breathing deeply
putting pressure on the chest
doing physical activity

Causes include:

• intense coughing
• a traumatic injury to the chest
• physical strain from repeated exercise or lifting heavy items
• respiratory tract infections
• an infection in a chest wound

5. Rib fracture

A rib fracture is a break in the bones that protect the internal organs in the chest. It can be very painful and lead to serious complications. One broken rib will not usually lead to complications, but multiple fractures can be life threatening. Rib fractures usually result from a fall or blow to the chest, but severe coughing can also cause a fracture. A break on the right side can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in that area.

6. Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax occurs when air escapes from the lung and gets into the space between the lung and the chest wall. It can lead to a collapsed lung. This makes it difficult for the lung to expand when breathing and can cause sudden and significant pain or discomfort. Someone with this condition might also experience shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. Anyone with these symptoms needs urgent medical attention. There are many possible causes:

conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, asthma, and cystic fibrosis
a biopsy of the lung area
a blunt or penetrating trauma

7. Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs. This inflammation causes friction between these two layers of tissue. Usually, there is a thin, fluid-filled space between the linings of the lungs and the chest cavity. When breathing in and out, the lungs glide smoothly over this tissue. In pleurisy, the friction can lead to sharp and severe pain when breathing.

Treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause. A person should seek immediate medical help if they have difficulty breathing or dizziness due to low oxygen levels. The condition can occur for various reasons:

a traumatic injury
pneumothorax
pulmonary embolism
conditions such as lupus, cancer, or pneumonia

8. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by bacterial, viral, or fungal organisms. Chest pain can occur when a person is breathing and coughing. Individuals with suspected pneumonia should seek prompt medical help. Some people will need to spend time in the hospital, as the condition can result in life threatening complications. Symptoms include:

a fever and chills
a cough
changes in mental status
rapid heart rate

9. Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels that connect the heart and lungs. Over time, this makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body. Symptoms include:

chest pain
shortness of breath
a cough and a hoarse voice
fatigue
weakness
lightheadedness
nausea and vomiting

10. Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that becomes lodged in the lungs. It can be life threatening if a person does not receive treatment quickly. If it occurs in the right lung, it can cause right-sided chest pain. Additional symptoms include: