Other accompanying symptoms

Depending on the cause of the pain when breathing under the ribs, other accompanying symptoms may also occur. In most cases, the pain is improved by shallow breathing and intensified by increased breathing such as during physical exertion. Frequently, other pain is associated with the symptoms, such as pain in other parts of the rib cage or also in the back and abdomen.

In addition, the pain is often not only dependent on breathing, but can also be triggered by various movements of the upper body, i.e. movement dependent. Acute injuries in the area of the ribcage can also cause external bleeding or even haematomas (bruises). In the case of pulmonary embolism as well as heart attacks, respiratory distress often occurs in addition to the breath-dependent chest pain.

This is particularly intensified by stress. In the case of a heart attack, pressure or a feeling of tightness on the chest is also common. In the worst case, a loss of consciousness and a life-threatening cardiac arrest can occur with both diseases.

Treatment of chest pain

The therapy of chest pain must be made dependent on the underlying cause. In the case of muscular problems, in most cases physical rest is sufficient until the musculature has recovered. If necessary, relaxation exercises can improve the symptoms.

If the pain is so severe that it affects breathing, painkillers should be taken until the symptoms improve. Intercostal neuralgia can also be treated conservatively in most cases; rarely does the pinched nerve have to be released from the ribs by a firm pull. If intercostal neuralgia is associated with major spinal damage, surgical treatment may also be necessary.

Diseases such as pulmonary embolism and myocardial infarction usually require a stabilizing intensive care therapy first. Subsequently, the cause can be remedied by, for example, dissolving the blood clot in the lung with blood thinners. In the case of a heart attack, a stent (wire mesh) must usually be placed in the coronary arteries. This small wire mesh can open the blocked vessels again and thus ensure better blood circulation in the heart muscles.