Chest Conditions
Conditions affecting the chest
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28 Chest Conditions
Chest infection
Chest infections are frequent in the fall and winter, especially after a cold or flu. Although the majority of them are minor and go away on their own, some can be significant or even fatal.
Related Conditions:
Cough | Pneumonia
Chest pain
Symptoms Include:
Chest pain
Chest pain
Anything from muscle pain to a heart attack can produce chest pain, which should never be disregarded.
Achalasia
Symptoms Include:
Difficulty swallowing | Regurgitate | Cough | Heartburn
Difficulty swallowing | Regurgitate | Cough | Heartburn
Achalasia is a rare gastrointestinal condition (oesophagus). It may be difficult to swallow meals and liquids as a result of this. Achalasia symptoms might appear at any stage in one’s life (see symptoms section). You will be referred to the hospital for tests if your doctor suspects you have achalasia.
Aortic Stenosis
Symptoms Include:
Chest pain | Poor concentration | Dizziness | Passed out | Shortness of breath
Chest pain | Poor concentration | Dizziness | Passed out | Shortness of breath
When one of the heart valves thickens and doesn’t open correctly, it’s called aortic stenosis. The aortic valve can be damaged over time, usually over a long length of time. People above the age of 65 are more likely to develop aortic stenosis. There are usually no symptoms, and a cardiologist is usually the one to diagnose it.
Acute respiratory distress syndrome
Symptoms Include:
Shortness of breath | Tiredness | Confusion | Fainting
Shortness of breath | Tiredness | Confusion | Fainting
Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening disorder in which the lungs are unable to give enough oxygen to the body’s important organs. It’s frequently a side effect of a major medical condition. By the time they acquire ARDS, the majority of victims have already been admitted to the hospital.
Angina
Angina is chest pain caused by a reduction in blood supply to the heart muscle. It usually occurs as a result of the hardening and narrowing of the arteries (blood vessels) supplying the heart. Angina is a very prevalent condition. As you become older, your chances of developing angina increase. It affects more men than women.
Related Conditions:
Chest pain
Asbestosis
Asbestosis is a dangerous lung disease that can last a lifetime. Long periods of asbestos exposure are the cause. If you experience any of the symptoms listed in the symptoms of asbestosis section and believe you may have been exposed to asbestos, visit a doctor.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Inflammation of the tiny tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs causes it. Asthma can strike at any age, including youngsters and the elderly.
Related Conditions:
Atrial fibrillation
Symptoms Include:
Fast heartbeat | Shortness of Breath | Fainting | Chest pain
Fast heartbeat | Shortness of Breath | Fainting | Chest pain
Atrial fibrillation is a heart ailment in which the heart rate is erratic and often abnormally fast. If you observe a sudden change in your heartbeat that makes you feel sick or if you have chest pain, contact a GP right away or contact the GP’s out-of-hours service.
Breast cancer in men
Symptoms Include:
Lump | Discharge | Blood | Change in shape
Lump | Discharge | Blood | Change in shape
Breast cancer is a disease that can affect both men and women. In the United Kingdom, it is nearly 100 times less prevalent in men than in women. It mainly affects men over the age of 60, however, it can also affect younger men on rare occasions. If you have any of the symptoms listed, you should see a doctor.
Related Conditions:
Cancer
Breast lumps
Symptoms Include:
Lump | Discharge | Blood | Change in shape
Lump | Discharge | Blood | Change in shape
Breast lumps are frequent and can be caused by a variety of factors. Although the majority of lumps aren’t cancerous, any odd changes in the breasts should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible. Breast cancer can affect men as well, however, it is considerably less common in men than in women.
Related Conditions:
Breast problems
Breast pain
Symptoms Include:
Pain
Pain
Most women experience breast pain, also known as mastalgia, at some point in their lives. This page discusses some of the possible reasons for breast pain and when you should see your doctor.
Related Conditions:
Breast problems
Breast problems
Symptoms Include:
Pain | Swelling | Lump | Discharge | Change in shape
Pain | Swelling | Lump | Discharge | Change in shape
It is critical to be “breast aware.” This will allow you to spot any issues with your breasts. Your GP should be consulted as soon as possible if you notice any unexpected changes in your breasts.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a lung illness that makes it difficult to breathe. It’s a disease that can be avoided in most cases. Although COPD cannot be cured or totally reversed, therapy can help many patients keep the disease under control.
Related Conditions:
Blue skin and lips (cyanosis)
Coronary heart disease
Symptoms Include:
Chest pain | Fast heartbeat | Shortness of breath | Nausea
Chest pain | Fast heartbeat | Shortness of breath | Nausea
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of death in the UK, as well as the rest of the world. Ischaemic heart disease is another name for CHD. If you suspect you’re experiencing a heart attack, dial 999 for emergency medical assistance (see heart attack symptoms).
Related Conditions:
Ischaemic heart disease
Costochondritis
Symptoms Include:
Pain
Pain
Inflammation (swelling) of the cartilage joints at the end of the cartilages that link your ribs to your breastbone is known as costochondritis (sternum). Costochondritis can improve on its own after a few weeks, but it can sometimes continue for months or even years.
Related Conditions:
Chest pain
Cough
Symptoms Include:
Cough
Cough
Coughs usually go away on their own after three weeks. A visit to the doctor is typically unnecessary.
Coughing up blood (blood in phlegm)
Symptoms Include:
Blood | Cough
Blood | Cough
Coughing up blood might be scary, but it isn’t always a symptom of something dangerous. It’s more likely to create concern as you get older, especially if you smoke. If you cough up blood, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.
Related Conditions:
Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
Cystic fibrosis
Symptoms Include:
Cough | Weight loss | Diarrhoea
Cough | Weight loss | Diarrhoea
Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that causes thick, sticky mucus to clog the lungs and digestive tract. From an early age, it can cause breathing and gastrointestinal problems. The lungs grow increasingly damaged over time and may eventually cease to function correctly.
Empyema
Symptoms Include:
Temperature | Night sweats | Weakness | Shortness of breath
Temperature | Night sweats | Weakness | Shortness of breath
The medical name for pus pockets that have formed inside a bodily cavity is empyema (space). They can form if a bacterial infection is left untreated or if it does not respond to treatment completely. Empyema is a dangerous condition that necessitates immediate medical attention (see symptoms below).
Heart attack
A heart attack is a life-threatening medical condition. It occurs when the blood supply to the heart is unexpectedly interrupted, generally by a blood clot. If the blockage is not removed quickly, the lack of blood delivered to the heart can irreversibly damage the heart muscle.
Related Conditions:
Chest pain
Heart palpitations and ectopic beats
Symptoms Include:
fast heart beat | fast heartbeat
fast heart beat | fast heartbeat
The heart fails to properly pump blood around the body, resulting in heart failure. This is frequently due to a weak or stiff heart. It can strike anyone at any age, although it strikes the elderly the most frequently.
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS)
Symptoms Include:
Lumps | Redness | Pus | Pain
Lumps | Redness | Pus | Pain
Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) is a chronic skin disorder that causes pain. It leads to skin abscesses and scars. It’s unclear what causes hidradenitis Suppurativa. It commonly develops around sweat glands near hair follicles, such as in the groyne, buttocks, breasts, and armpits.
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a kind of cancer that is both common and deadly. Lung cancer is the fourth most prevalent cancer in men and the third most common cancer in women in the UK. If you have any of the symptoms listed below, you should see your doctor.
Related Conditions:
Cancer
Lupus
Symptoms Include:
Rash | Tiredness | Fatigue | Joint pain | Glands up
Rash | Tiredness | Fatigue | Joint pain | Glands up
Lupus is a long-term illness known as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Inflammation of the joints, skin and other organs is caused by it. Although there is no cure, early therapy can help to alleviate symptoms.
Mesothelioma
Mesothelioma is cancer that originates in the lining that covers the outer surface of some organs in the body. Asbestos exposure is frequently the cause. If you have any persistent or concerning symptoms, visit a doctor (see symptoms section).
Related Conditions:
Cancer
Nipple discharge
Symptoms Include:
Discharge
Discharge
Nipple discharge isn’t always indicative of something serious. However, it’s a good idea to see a doctor just in case (see symptoms in the ‘when to see your doctor’ section).
Related Conditions:
Breast problems
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, the sac that surrounds your heart and protects it. Chest discomfort is the most common symptom. Pericarditis is usually not a life-threatening condition. However, it’s critical to rule out more dangerous conditions like a heart attack. Call 999 if you have chest pain and are feeling ill.
Related Conditions:
Chest pain
Persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma
Symptoms Include:
Vaginal bleeding | Vaginal lump | Tummy ache | Cough
Vaginal bleeding | Vaginal lump | Tummy ache | Cough
Persistent trophoblastic disease and choriocarcinoma are two types of pregnancy-related tumours that are extremely rare. Gestational trophoblastic tumours (GTTs) are what they’re called.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is a condition in which the tissue between the lungs and the ribcage becomes inflamed. If you develop chest pain or other pleurisy symptoms, visit a doctor. Pleurisy is usually diagnosed based on the symptoms you’re experiencing.
Related Conditions:
Chest pain
Pulmonary hypertension
Pulmonary hypertension is a condition in which the blood vessels that supply the lungs have high blood pressure (pulmonary arteries). It’s a dangerous condition that can harm the heart’s right side. If you have any signs of pulmonary hypertension, visit a doctor.
Rheumatic fever
Symptoms Include:
Temperature | Inflamed joints | Rash | Shortness of breath
Temperature | Inflamed joints | Rash | Shortness of breath
After a bacterial throat infection, rheumatic fever is an extremely unusual complication that can develop. It can cause joint pain as well as heart difficulties. The majority of patients recover completely, although it is possible that it will recur (see the section on when to see your doctor).
Related Conditions:
Joint pain
Whooping cough
Symptoms Include:
Cough | Runny nose | Red eye | Sore throat
Cough | Runny nose | Red eye | Sore throat
Pertussis (whooping cough) is a highly contagious bacterial chest infection. It produces frequent coughing fits and can make newborns and little children very sick. The number of instances has risen in recent years. However, because of a vaccination programme that can protect babies and children from the disease, it is still uncommon.
Related Conditions:
Cough | Chest infection
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