What Are the Most Common Causes of Chest Pain and Shortness Of Breath?
The most common causes of chest pain and shortness of breath are angina, anxiety or stress, indigestion, heart attack, or pulmonary embolism. Some are more common than others, but each happens often enough to be taken seriously. No matter what the cause, any chest pain — with or without shortness of breath — that lasts longer than a few minutes or comes and goes for days or weeks, should be reported to a health care professional. Anxiety is one common cause of chest pain and shortness of breath, and is often accompanied by rapid heart rate and sometimes a feeling of tightness. This can be caused by any number of things, from stress to an anxiety disorder. Treatment may include relaxation techniques or an antidepressant if symptoms are severe or long lasting.
