When it comes to the topic of stinging in the heart, the fear of a heart attack nests in many sufferers – but usually unfounded. The stinging in the heart can have a variety of causes, which are often not to be sought in the medical field.
What is stabbing in the heart?
Cardiac stabbing, also known as cardialgia, is pain in the heart or chest area that originates from the heart and is usually cramp-like. Cardiac stabbing, also called cardialgia, is pain in the heart or chest area that originates from the heart and is usually crampy. The pain may also radiate to surrounding areas. The stabbing often occurs very suddenly and also subsides spontaneously. Since the causes of stabbing heart pain can be very diverse, both the duration and intensity of the occurrence of the pain, as well as the frequency of occurrence of the heart stabbing are crucial for the cause research and diagnosis.
Causes
Numerous triggers can and must be considered as the cause of heart pain. Mostly harmless and stress-independent heart stabbing is often the result of muscle tension or poor lifestyle (nicotine, alcohol, drugs, but also lack of sleep, caffeine and lack of exercise). External pressure can cause nerves to become pinched in the rib area, which can also trigger heart stitches. Since these stitches cannot be precisely localized, they are often referred to as stitches in the heart, as is the case with pain resulting from a pulmonary embolism. The psyche can also be responsible for the stabbing in the heart. Panic attacks triggered by anxiety disorders often lead to incorrect breathing, which in turn leads to a stabbing in the heart. The stabbing is perceived by the affected person as threatening and triggers another panic attack. There is also the possibility of a heart phobia. Here, the affected person is so intensely preoccupied with the possibility of heart disease that actual heart stabs can be triggered. If the heart stabbing occurs regularly or during physical exertion, the suspicion of a physical disease is close and must be clarified medically. An increased occurrence of the twinge during physical exertion is an indication of angina pectoris, a disease of the heart muscle. In addition to the twinge, a feeling of tightness often occurs. Another possible cause is an incipient stroke, which can manifest itself in various symptoms: Paralysis or numbness, headaches, dizziness, disturbances in speech and vision, and heart palpitations occur. Hyperthyroidism can also lead to an acceleration of the heartbeat and, as a consequence, to heart palpitations. A heart attack is to be feared if the stabbing lasts longer than 20 minutes and is accompanied by pain radiating to the arms, abdomen and back, as well as shortness of breath and sweating.
Diseases with this symptom
- Angina pectoris
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Heart muscle inflammation
- Atrial fibrillation
- Aortic dissection
- Pericarditis
- Cardiac neurosis
- Aortic valve stenosis
- Mitral valve prolapse syndrome
- Tietze syndrome
- Roemheld syndrome
Diagnosis and course
Heart stabbing everyone has in the course of life, although pain is not equal to pain. To determine whether it is a dangerous disease of the heart or not, medical examinations must be performed. The following methods of diagnosing heart disease are available to the doctor:
- Study of the medical history of the affected person
- Study of the accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, trepidation, loss of power.
- Listening to the chest with a stethoscope.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG, heart current measurement).
- Pulse and blood pressure measurement
- Blood tests
- Echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the heart).
Complications
A twinge in the heart is usually a relatively serious complaint and should be treated quickly. Otherwise, in the worst case scenario, it can lead to a stroke or other problem with the heart. The twinge can often be mistaken for a twinge in the chest because they are regions that are very close together.However, a doctor should definitely be consulted here, as problems with the heart cannot be treated by oneself and require medical supervision. If the stabbing in the heart is not treated properly or in time, it can lead to death in the worst case. Treatment usually involves the use of medications that change blood pressure to reduce the stabbing in the heart. In emergencies, surgery must also be performed. The side effects of the medications are usually discomfort such as fatigue or a general feeling of illness. Surgery on the heart is very serious and may also result in further pain in that region if the stabbing in the heart is treated. With this symptom, in any case, you should not wait longer for improvement and immediately consult a doctor or the hospital.
When should one go to the doctor?
Repeated stabbing in the heart should always be clarified by a doctor first. It is especially urgent to see a doctor if the cardiac stabbing occurs at increasingly frequent intervals, increases in intensity, or persists for more than a few minutes. A cardiologist should also be consulted for further clarification in the event of a slight twinge in the left chest. It is possible that the symptoms are due to a lung disease or inflammation of the diaphragm, which can lead to complications if left untreated. A visit to the doctor is also recommended in the event of sudden heart palpitations associated with pain and tightness in the chest. Anyone who has already suffered a heart attack or stroke should call the emergency services immediately in the event of stabbing pain. In particular, accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, anxiety and sweating indicate a heart attack or stroke, which must be treated immediately by an emergency physician. In general, therefore, stinging in the heart must be clarified and treated as immediately as possible in any case in order to prevent a serious course.
Treatment and therapy
With reference to the result of the diagnostic examination, it is up to the specialist (cardiologist) to find the appropriate treatment and therapy. If the heart palpitations occur suddenly, a doctor must be consulted immediately. The sooner treatment can be started, for example in the case of a heart attack, the greater the chance of avoiding permanent damage and increasing the chances of survival. If muscle tension is present, massage, acupuncture and relaxation techniques are prescribed. If there is a pinched nerve, a visit to the chiropractor is advised. Additionally, in the case of heart palpitations due to panic attacks, there is the possibility of behavioral therapy to break the cycle of anxiety and pain. If there is a more serious disease of the heart, depending on the type and severity, the heart stabbing is treated with appropriate medication. If this is not sufficient, surgical intervention may also be required to correct the cause of the stabbing in the heart. An example of a surgical method is the placement of a bypass. Ultimately, the causes of heart stabbing are identifiable and treatable. In the case of more severe disease, the success of therapy depends on rapid diagnosis and treatment.
Outlook and prognosis
In case of a stabbing in the heart, a doctor must be consulted immediately in any case. This symptom is life-threatening and in the worst case can lead to a heart attack. Therefore, a doctor should always be called or visited when the twinge in the heart occurs. If the twinge in the heart is not treated, it is very likely that a heart attack or other complication with the heart will occur. If the symptom or infarction is not treated quickly enough, death can occur in the worst case scenario. After the infarction, the patient usually suffers from paralysis or other discomfort. Treatment for stabbing in the heart is either with the help of medication or surgery. The symptom is not reversible. Therefore, it is not possible to completely contain the cause of the stabbing in the heart, however, the symptom itself can be limited. In general, a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle have a positive effect on the course of the disease. If the stabbing in the heart occurs mainly after the consumption of alcohol and other drugs, these must be discontinued. In most cases, treatment leads to relief of the symptom and a positive course of the disease.However, no prediction can be made universally, as the course of the disease is highly dependent on the further manifestations of the heart.
Prevention
Since an actual disease of the heart often has serious consequences, it is useful to prevent a twinge in the heart with a healthy diet (avoidance of alcohol, nicotine and drugs), with an active lifestyle and sports activities to balance stress and control weight. Regularly checking heart functions with a doctor can also prevent the development of serious heart disease.
Here’s what you can do yourself
Stinging in the heart can be a sign of a serious heart disease and should be medically clarified immediately. However, it is usually harmless muscle contractions that can be reduced by relaxation measures. Tension can be relieved by massage, physiotherapy or acupuncture. Osteopathy also offers therapeutic approaches that promise rapid relief of the symptoms. Psychologically induced heart palpitations as a result of psychological complaints can be reduced with the help of psychotherapeutic measures. Relaxation techniques to reduce stress, such as autogenic training or progressive muscle relaxation, also help. In the case of psychological stress, it is also advisable to talk to friends and family members. Heart stabbing as a result of alcohol and drug abuse should only be treated by a doctor. Stinging in the heart associated with headache, dizziness and numbness indicates a stroke or heart attack. Accordingly, the first measure is to call the emergency medical services. Clothing should then be loosened and existing dentures removed. Until the emergency physician arrives, the upper body must be kept still. In case of vomiting or unconsciousness, the victim must be placed in the recovery position and treated with resuscitation measures.
