By Pain on the right side of the chest is worrisome. It’s more concerning when this pain is sudden, changes with movement or is associated with changes in your breathing or is worse when you cough. Although the common perception is that pain in the chest is of cardiac origin, pain of the right chest is usually related to the muscles, the ribs, the lungs, the gastro intestinal tract or the gall bladder. It can also be due to a severe medical condition that will need urgent evaluation.
If you have always asked yourself, “why does my right chest hurt?” or “what causes pain on the right side of my chest?”, understanding the potential causes will help you understand when pain in the right side of your chest will need medical evaluation. Some conditions resolve on their own with rest, while other conditions will be a medical emergency.
This guide with everything that you will need to know about the pain on the right side of the chest, will explain the symptoms that will accompany pain on the right side of the chest, how pain on the right side of the chest is diagnosed, the treatment of pain of the right side of the chest, the signs of the right side of the chest that are of greater concern. I will also explain why right side chest pain occurs when you breathe or is related to physical exertion or occurs after you have lifted a heavy object.
What Is Right Side Chest Pain?
Right side chest pain can present as pressure, discomfort, sharp pain, or an ache, that can develop either gradually or suddenly, and can vary in intensity from mild to severe. Pain can be persistent, but, for some, discomfort is only present when moving or taking a deep breath.
Discomfort can be felt in a variety of locations. Some patients describe chest pain on the right side in the center of the chest, while others describe chest pain that is located on the upper right side, discomfort that is felt near the ribs, or pain that extends to the shoulder or to the back.
Depending on the cause, chest pain that is located on the right side can be sharp, or dull, and can be felt as a burning, stabbing, or a pressure type of pain. Describing any other symptoms that you may be experiencing can aid a physician in determining whether the cause of the pain is from the muscle, lungs, or digestive system, and, in rare cases, the heart.
Common Symptoms Associated with Right Side Chest Pain
The symptoms that accompany right side chest pain can provide useful information for determining the cause. The most commonly seen symptoms include:
- Sharp/stabbing pain
- Dull pain
- Right side chest tightness
- Pain when taking deep breaths
- Pain when coughing
- Pain when lying down
- Tenderness when touching the chest wall
- Difficulty taking a deep breath
- Radiating pain to the shoulder
- Radiating pain to the back
- Swelling
- Bruising after an injury
Some people have pain in the right side of the chest and shoulder, and some people have pain in the right side of the chest and back. These symptoms can arise from muscle strain, lung conditions, or rib injuries.
Why Does the Right Side of My Chest Hurt?
Many people wonder why their right side of the chest hurts. Or rather they wonder what causes sudden pain in the right chest. What causes this pain is not one set answer. The chest area contains many of the body’s organs and structures. Some of these structures are the ribs and muscles in the chest. Some connective tissue and parts of the lungs and even parts of the digestive system are also in the chest. Pain can come from any of these structures.
Chest pain on the right can also come from some of these:
- Muscle Strains
- Injured Ribs
- Costochondritis
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Gallbladder Disease
- Acid Reflux
- Shingles
- Anxiety
- Lung Infections
Right side chest pain can come from many different things. It can also come from combinations of many of these. It can depend on how the pain is triggered, where the pain is, and what other symptoms are also occurring.
Common Causes of Right Side Chest Pain
Chest Muscle Strain
Muscle strain is among the most common causes of pain in the right side of the chest.
Chest muscle pain on the right side is common after:
- Heavy lifting
- Intense exercise
- Sudden twisting
- Sports injuries
- Repetitive arm movements
Chest pain on the right side after heavy lifting and strenuous exercise is common. A strained chest muscle often causes soreness that worsens with movement or stretching and pressing on the affected area. Pain of a muscle strain typically
Subsides within a few days with rest, placement of a cold pack, gentle stretching, and taking anti-inflammatory medication.
Costochondritis
Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone.
The symptoms of Costochondritis include:
- Localized tenderness
- Sharp pain during movement
- Pain while coughing
- Pain during deep breathing
Costochondritis is often confused with heart disease because of the severity of the symptoms, but Costochondritis is not dangerous and does not pose a threat to a patients health, although a complete assessment is always warranted to rule out other serious conditions.
People often search for costochondritis vs heart attack right side because the two can often be confused. Opposite from a heart attack, the pain of costochondritis will worsen with pressure to the chest wall and will worsen with changes in position.
Rib Injury or Fracture
Trauma from falling, accidents, sports injuries, or a blow to the chest can injure the ribs.
The symptoms of a rib injury include:
- Severe, localized pain
- Pain while breathing
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Difficulty coughing
Some patients may experience pain in the right side of the chest and also pain around the right rib cage after an injury.
Even a mildly injured rib may take multiple weeks to completely heal.
Lung Conditions
Many lung diseases lead to right lung pain or right thoracic pain.
Some examples are:
Pneumonia
Pneumonia will create a lung infection with:
- Fevers
- Chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
- Right thoracic pain when coughing
Pneumonia patients have pain that is typically worsened with deep breaths.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is the inflammation of the lung lining.
Its symptoms include:
- Sharp pain
- Pain when breathing
- Pain when coughing
- Pain when sneezing
Many people have right thoracic pain when breathing and right side pain when breathing deeply.
Pulmonary Embolism
This is a blockage of a lung artery by a clot.
This will create a medical emergency with the symptoms of:
- Chest pain that is sudden
- Shortness of breath
- A fast heart rate
- Dizziness
- Coughing blood
In the event of right thoracic pain and shortness of breath that is sudden, seek emergency medical assistance right away.
Pneumothorax
A lung can collapse on its own or after certain types of trauma.
Symptoms may present as:
- Pain that starts suddenly and is sharp
- Shortness of breath
- An increased heart rate
A fast and serious trip to the doctor is necessary.
Right Side Chest Pain While Breathing
Many people experience right side chest pain when they breathe.
Pain when breathing often indicates irritation of the:
- Lung lining
- Ribs
- Chest muscles
- Airways
Some causes may include:
- Pleurisy
- Rib Fractures
- Costochondritis
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary Embolism
If right side chest pain when breathing deeply becomes severe, or you are having difficulty breathing, you need to seek emergency medical help.
Right Side Chest Pain After Exercise
Chest pain on the right side after exercise is usually not a heart issue. It’s more likely due to a muscle strain.
This type of pain could be due to:
- Chest muscles that are fatigued from overworking
- Bad posture
- Lifting very heavy weights
- Not drinking enough fluids
- Inflamed muscles
It is very common for athletes to have right side chest muscle pain after performing resistance exercises for the chest or shoulders.
Pain that is ongoing and is accompanied by feelings of dizziness, fainting and a shortness of breath should be evaluated as soon as possible.
Right Side Chest Pain After Lifting Heavy Objects
The chest wall experiences a lot of strain when lifting heavy objects. This can cause:
- Tears in your muscles.
- Strains in your ribs.
- Inflammation in your tendons.
Feeling pain in the right side of your chest tends to happen a lot. This is especially true if you do not lift objects the right way or if you push your body to its limits. This pain can get worse when you do a lot of different activities, like moving, or even raising your arms or coughing.
Right Side Chest Pain While Coughing
Frequent coughing stresses the chest muscles and ribs.
Consequently, those affected may develop the following:
- Right side chest pain when coughing
- Chest pain on the right side when coughing
- Soreness in the muscles
- Tenderness in the ribs
Intense coughing may even lead to broken ribs in the more vulnerable population, such as the elderly and those diagnosed with osteoporosis.
Gallbladder and Digestive Causes
Chest pain on the right side may have external origins. The gallbladder and other digestive organs may have pain that radiates up to the chest.
Gallstones and gallbladder inflammation can cause the following:
- Upper abdominal pain
- Nausea
- Pain below the right breast
- Pain under the right breast
- Pain after consuming fatty meals
Right side chest pain after eating, specifically large or fatty meals, is common in many patients.
The gallbladder may cause pain that radiates to the right shoulder or upper back. Pain in this area may be confused with right lung pain or right side heart pain.
Causes of Right Side Chest Pain in Women
There are many causes of right side chest pain that are common in both men and women. However, certain conditions are more common in women. Chest pain due to breast tissue disorders, hormonal changes, and changes that occur during pregnancy may be differentiated from other conditions.
Some women notice right side chest pain during hormonal changes, while others may notice chest pain right side above the breast due to muscle strain, a breast condition, or inflammation of the ribs.
Right side chest pain may also occur with the following conditions in women:
- Gallbladder disease
- Cystitis
- Costochondritis
- Lung infections
- Muscle strain
If right side chest pain occurs with breathing difficulties or sharp pain that extends to the left side of the body, or there are other pain symptoms in the body, immediate medical evaluation is warranted.
Can Anxiety Cause Right Side Chest Pain?
Anxiety and panic attacks may cause some people right-side chest pain and/or tightness in the chest.
Chest pain caused by anxiety may also cause:
- Fast heartbeat
- Breathing issues
- Tightness in the chest
- Tingling in the extremities
- Excessive sweating
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
Chest pain due to anxiety may resemble a heart attack, so it’s extremely important to evaluate the chest pain to rule out any other medical issues.
Can Right Side Chest Pain Be Heart Related?
It is commonly believed right sided chest pain is not heart related. In the center or on the left side of the chest is where heart pain is commonly felt, though it can sometimes be on the right side.
Right side chest pain can be heart related, though it is rare.
The conditions that can cause right side chest pain are the following:
- Angina
- Heart Attack
- Pericarditis
- Cardiomyopathy
Seek emergency medical care if right side chest pain occurs with:
- Chest pressure
- Pain in the jaw, neck, or arm
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Sudden weakness
- Shortness of breath
These symptoms can be indicative of an emergency.
When to Worry About Right Side Chest Pain
Most cases of pain in the right side of the chest are harmless, but some are serious.
You should definitely consider going to the emergency room if you have:
- Severe or crushing pain in the chest
- Pain in the right side of the chest and trouble breathing
- Bluish lips and fingers
- Coughing up blood
- Passing out
- Pain after a serious injury to the chest
Chest Pain should never be taken lightly. Recognizing when the pain in the right side of the chest is serious can ensure you get the treatment you need quickly.
How Doctors Diagnose Right Side Chest Pain
Right side chest pain can stem from many things and begins to be diagnosed through a careful gathering of your medical history and physical examination.
Here are some questions they may ask:
- When did the pain start?
- Is it worse when you breathe or cough?
- Did it start after physical activity or after lifting something?
- Is it a sharp pain, a dull pain, or a burning sensation in chest?
- Does it radiate to your shoulder or your back?
Your doctor could suggest the following depending on your specific symptoms:
| Diagnostic Test | Purpose |
| Physical examination | Checks muscles, ribs, and breathing |
| Chest X-ray | Detects pneumonia, fractures, or lung conditions |
| ECG (Electrocardiogram) | Evaluates heart rhythm |
| Blood tests | Looks for infection or heart damage |
| CT scan | Detects pulmonary embolism and lung disease |
| Ultrasound | Evaluates gallbladder problems |
| MRI | Assesses muscles and soft tissues |
An accurate right side chest pain diagnosis ensures appropriate treatment and helps rule out life-threatening conditions.
Treatment for Right Side Chest Pain
The best way to remedy right side chest pain will vary depending on the cause.
Muscle Strain
A treatment plan can consist of:
- Rest
- Ice
- Stretching
- Anti-inflammatory medication
Lung Infection
They can be treated with the following in a doctor’s order:
- Antibiotics
- Antivirals
- Fluids
- Rest
Gallbladder Disease
A treatment plan can provide a diet change, pain relief, or surgery in an extreme case.
Costochondritis
Often managed with:
- Anti-inflammatories
- Heat
- Modification of activities
Pulmonary Embolism
Medical emergencies characterized as requiring immediate hospital care involving blood-thinners and other specialty treatments.
Home Care Tips
If after assessment your health professional does not find that a serious condition is the cause of your symptoms, the following might help alleviate mild pains the in chest:
- Rest, avoiding strenuous activity
- Ice the area during the first 24-48 hours if there is a muscle injury
- Maintain good posture
- Gentle stretching (advised by a professional)
- Stay hydrated
- If pains occur after a meal, eat smaller meals
- Avoid lifting heavy objects
- Pain that persists or worsens should not be self-treated
Prevention
Not all causes of mild right-sided chest pains can be prevented. However, following the advice below, may help prevent the likelihood of getting mild right-sided chest pains:
- Warm up before all exercises
- Use proper lifting techniques
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Avoid smoking
- Stay physically active
- Keep stable all chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, anxiety, acid reflux)
- Avoid gallbladder disease by keeping a healthy diet
- Get fast treatment for respiratory infections
When Should You See a Doctor?
Schedule a medical appointment if:
- It consistently hurts to the right of your chest.
- The pain keeps coming back.
- There is unexplained pain in your right chest and shoulder.
- It’s hard to do your usual daily activities.
- You have a cough that won’t go away, are losing weight for no reason, and have a fever.
- It hurts more when you breathe and it hurts to lie down.
- The pain in your upper right chest is getting worse.
It’s best to get a diagnosis sooner rather than later to prevent complication from some common causes of upper right chest pain.
Conclusion
Chest pain can be very concerning. Right side chest pain, in particular, can be caused by multiple things. Recognizing accompanying symptoms of right side chest pain can help you decide what is a serious incident and what is simply a strain. Right side chest pain can occur while you are exercising. It can also occur while you are breathing deeply. Understanding what causes your right side chest pain can also help identify why you may also be experiencing pain in your right side chest and back.
Your body gives you signs that you must pay attention to. You must listen to your body if you have persistent right side chest pain that is also caused by shortness of breath. You must also listen to your body if you have right side chest pain and you are dizzy, have a fever, or feel a lot of pressure. You could be suffering from a serious medical condition that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment if you have any of these symptoms. Right side chest pain should not be a concern you take lightly. Educating yourself about right side chest pain should help you take steps necessary to protect your health.
Chest pain can be very concerning, and this article hopes to provide the education you need to help your understanding. It does not provide a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any severe, unexplained chest pain, especially if you have any other symptoms that would be considered an emergency, you should seek immediate medical care.
Read more: Difference Between Heart Attack and Cardiac Arrest | Left Side Chest Pain
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What could be the reason my right side chest hurts?
Chest pain on your right side can be caused by problems impacting your muscles, ribs, lungs, or gallbladder. These all can cause chest pain as well as many other problems. It’s important to consult a doctor if your pain is severe or persistent.
Q2: Can something wrong with my heart cause right side chest pain?
It’s true that heart problems can also cause right side chest pain. Right side chest pain is more often associated with left side heart problems. Right side chest pain that is severe should be treated as a medical emergency.
Q3: Can pain in my right side chest be caused by muscle chest pain?
Yes. Chest muscle pain can be caused by strain from exercise or lift injuries. Muscle strain can be one of the more often seen causes of right side chest pain.
Q4: Why does my right side chest hurt when I breathe?
Chest pain on the right side that hurts when you breathe can be caused by a number of problems. These can include pleurisy, pneumonia, chest wall rib injuries, and inflammation.
Q5: What causes pain in my right side chest below the right breast?
Chest pain on your right side below the breast can be caused by gallbladder problems or rib injury strain.
Q6: Is pain on my right side chest after exercising normal?
Pain can be caused by normal muscle strain after exercise. Pain that is severe is not normal. Pain accompanied by shortness of breath or dizziness is a medical emergency.
Q7: What causes right side chest pain that is serious?
Chest pain that is severe is a medical emergency, especially if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, fainting, coughing up blood, or pain that feels like it is radiating into your jaw or your arm.
Q8: What are common medical tests for right side chest pain?
Medical evaluations for right side chest pain can include physical examinations, tests like an ECG, chest X-rays and CT scans, ultrasounds and blood tests.
