Chest pain during pregnancy

The article was professionally consulted with Specialist Doctor II Lai Thi Nguyet Hang - Obstetrician and Gynecologist - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.

Breast pain can be a harmless symptom of pregnancy. The main cause of this problem is usually heartburn or when the growing uterus puts pressure on the organs in the chest cavity. However, chest pain during pregnancy can also be a sign of a more serious medical condition, such as preeclampsia or a heart attack, that requires immediate medical treatment.

Chest pain during pregnancy can be a common health problem in pregnant women. However, in rare cases, chest pain during pregnancy can also be related to other serious medical conditions.
Especially, when the pregnancy is progressing, all the changes in the pregnant mother's body can cause the heart rate to increase higher than normal. The fetus in the womb is also getting bigger and bigger and putting pressure on the mother's stomach and lungs.
In general, chest pain and shortness of breath during pregnancy may be accompanied by some other typical symptoms:
Shortness of breath while sleeping or lying flat. Fast heart beat. Tired . Low blood pressure .

Chest pain or breastbone pain during pregnancy can be caused by some of the most common causes.
2.1. Anxiety Sometimes it's the excitement of hearing "good" news that can quickly turn a pregnant woman's mood into anxiety and stress, especially if this is her first pregnancy or after a previous miscarriage. there. When you start to feel physical changes that can also cause feelings of stress, anxiety or even panic.
These conditions can happen at any time during pregnancy and give you physical symptoms like chest pain. In addition, pregnant women may also have other symptoms such as dizziness, rapid breathing, feeling restless and difficulty concentrating.
2.2. Morning sickness The first signs that you're pregnant usually include feeling nauseous and vomiting. These can be symptoms of morning sickness, which can happen at any time of the day, even at night. The main cause of morning sickness can be due to a sudden spike in the hormones the body produces during pregnancy.
All the nausea and vomiting caused by morning sickness will cause you to experience temporary weight loss and have a higher risk of experiencing dehydration. Severe morning sickness can cause chest pain and shortness of breath. Besides, you will also feel chest pain as the acidic vomit continuously irritates the throat. This contributes to your stomach and chest muscles becoming fatigued, leading to muscle pain.
2.3. Lung problems If you already have asthma, it may get worse during pregnancy. This can make asthma symptoms worse than before and lead to shortness of breath and chest pain during pregnancy. Some other problems such as colds, lung infections, pneumonia or severe allergies also contribute to chest pain, shortness of breath or breastbone pain during pregnancy. Chest pain due to lung diseases can occur at any time, including the first 3 months of pregnancy.
2.4. Heartburn Acid reflux can cause chest pain during pregnancy and make you feel like your heart is on fire. Heartburn chest pain usually occurs near the center of the chest and can spread up to the throat. This is because acid from the stomach rushes up into the esophagus - the tube that runs from the mouth to the stomach.
Besides, the increase in progesterone hormone levels can also be another cause of chest pain during pregnancy. High levels of this hormone can relax the esophageal sphincter that closes at the top of the stomach, which, together with more pressure on the stomach as the fetus grows, leads to heartburn. and chest pain during pregnancy.
Heartburn tends to be more common during the second and third trimesters. However, some women may also develop this condition during the first trimester.
2.5. Intestinal gas Intestinal gas can cause gas, bloating, gas, and chest pain during pregnancy. These conditions, also known as dyspepsia, usually occur when they get stuck in the upper part of the stomach. If your body accumulates a lot of gas, it can cause chest pain in the lower or upper part of the chest.
Chest pain caused by intestinal gas is common in the second or third trimester, when the fetus is growing strongly in the womb. In addition, the hormonal changes of pregnancy also significantly affect the body's normal digestive process and lead to bloating.

The cause of chest pain during pregnancy can stem from a serious health problem, such as a heart attack, preeclampsia, or a certain heart condition.
3.1. Preeclampsia Pregnant women with chest pain and shortness of breath can be a serious pregnancy complication, namely preeclampsia, which can sometimes be fatal to both mother and fetus.
Some common signs and symptoms of preeclampsia include:
High blood pressure. Heartburn doesn't improve even with antacids or lifestyle changes. Persistent headache. Pain in the upper abdomen, right side, or below the ribs. Visual disturbances. Sudden weight gain. Swelling in the face and hands. Presence of protein in the urine. Preeclampsia usually goes away after birth. However, in some women, preeclampsia continues after pregnancy or after giving birth. In addition, women with preeclampsia may also experience related complications, such as broken red blood cells, elevated liver enzymes, or low platelet counts.
3.2. Heart disease or heart attack Another relatively common cause of chest pain during pregnancy is a heart attack. During pregnancy, the amount of blood in a pregnant woman's body increases to match the growth of the fetus. To pump more blood more efficiently, the mother's heart rate also increases, adding to the stress that can lead to a heart attack. Additionally, women who have heart disease or have other pre-existing heart conditions also have an increased risk of having a heart attack during pregnancy.
Heart disease in pregnant women can manifest under some of the following symptoms:
Tachycardia. Chest pain. Extreme shortness of breath. Chronic cough. Extremely tired. Weight gain. Fainting . Pregnant women who experience any of the above symptoms should seek medical attention as soon as possible to avoid other dangerous health complications.
3.3. Blood clot in the lung A blood clot in the lung or a pulmonary embolism (PE) is considered a rare but serious cause of chest pain, shortness of breath or breastbone pain during pregnancy.
This life-threatening condition usually occurs when a blood clot blocks the lung. You're at higher risk if you're overweight or obese during pregnancy, have a history of blood clots, and have genetic disorders such as factor V Leiden.
In addition, pregnant women can develop a pulmonary embolism during or after labor and delivery. In extremely rare cases, it can also occur towards the end of pregnancy, i.e. in the 3rd trimester.
Pulmonary embolism during pregnancy can cause the following symptoms:
Chest pain when cough. Chest pain when taking a deep breath. Fast heart beat. Legs are swollen. 3.4. Rib pain Your bones also go through certain changes during pregnancy. The rib cage tends to expand along with the abdomen. This mainly happens during the 3rd trimester, sometimes as early as the 2nd trimester.
As the ribs expand, it can cause the rod of cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone to stretch. , leading to breastbone pain during pregnancy. Besides, rib pain or inflammation of the lacrimal sac is also considered the cause of chest pain for pregnant women. In particular, the pain will increase when you take deep breaths towards the end of pregnancy.

Most causes of chest pain during pregnancy are medical conditions that are not cause for concern and rarely require medical treatment. Depending on the cause of your chest pain, sometimes you can ease the pain with home treatments, including a few tips:
Meditate, listen to relaxing music when feeling anxious . Schedule a visit with your doctor to find ways to manage your anxiety. Eat several small meals throughout the day to help reduce nausea and vomiting. Avoid hot spicy foods. Avoid foods that trigger heartburn, such as dairy, tomatoes, mint, chocolate, and citrus fruits. Avoid consuming foods that cause bloating, such as sugary or processed foods. Drinking ginger tea helps reduce nausea. Warm compresses help ease muscle aches and rib pain. Cold compresses help reduce swelling and muscle pain. Wear a comfortable, lint-free bra. Lying on your side reduces pressure on your lungs and chest.

You should see your doctor right away if your chest pain during pregnancy doesn't go away, gets worse, or develops other unusual symptoms even when you're resting or lying down. Some pregnant women may have high blood pressure and other conditions that affect the heart.
In general, pregnant women should seek urgent medical attention if they have the following symptoms:
Severe or sudden shortness of breath. Excessive nausea and vomiting. Chest pain that is worse when coughing. Headache, blurred vision, dizziness or fainting. Fast heart beat. Dark urine or less frequent urination than usual. Swelling in the ankles or feet. Swelling in the face or anywhere else on the body. Swelling only on one leg or ankle. Leg or muscle pain. Also, tell your doctor if you have chest pain, shortness of breath during pregnancy and have ever had varicose veins or blood clots. In addition, people with a family history of heart disease, varicose veins and strokes should also inform their doctor as this can put them at higher risk of developing a pulmonary embolism.

Most women who experience chest pain during pregnancy do not need medical treatment. However, if the pain is severe or comes from a serious cause, you may need specific treatment.
Taking medication or treating the underlying cause of chest pain will help prevent it. For example, a doctor may order a change in a pregnant woman's asthma medication to prevent chest pain from occurring. If you have severe morning sickness, your doctor may recommend medication or intravenous fluids to control nausea.
Pregnant women should also wear compression stockings and walk regularly to prevent blood clots from forming in the legs or any other areas of the body. Your doctor may also prescribe the blood thinner heparin after you give birth to help prevent blood clots.
Currently, the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology - Vinmec International General Hospital is a reliable address for customers to feel secure to visit and get advice on problems during pregnancy. In order to make the pregnancy process more convenient, Vinmec has implemented a PACKAGE Maternity service, including prenatal care, during childbirth and after birth. Pregnant women are monitored and carried out all necessary tests and ultrasounds to detect pregnancy abnormalities early. The birth will be "gentle" like going on vacation, at the hospital, there are fully equipped for mother and baby.
Vinmec International General Hospital gathers a team of highly qualified doctors at home and abroad as well as the quality of ultrasound machine system, modern equipped medical equipment, main prenatal examination procedures. Accurately, science will handle abnormalities during pregnancy and labor quickly, helping women have the safest pregnancy.
For more information about Vinmec's maternity packages, please contact the hospitals and clinics of Vinmec Health system nationwide
Accompanying pregnant women during pregnancy period, for mothers to "be pregnant without worries", Vinmec launched the first and only online course "Healthy pregnancy with Vinmec experts" in Vietnam today according to medical standards:
100% Video lessons with experts Vinmec 100% information on maternity, genetics, psychology, exercise and nutrition according to medical standards 10 times of interaction and exchange with doctors is equivalent to 10 antenatal visits The course above own platform, design a suitable time to study anytime, anywhere Useful learning content for pregnant mothers and the whole family Learn more about the course at: https://songkhoe.vinmec.com

Reference articles: healthline.com, medicalnewstoday.com