Top Non-Cardiac Causes of Chest Pain

A commonly experienced cause of non-cardiac chest pain is costochondritis. It is inflammation of the cartilage which connects a rib to the sternum or breastbone. The inflammation causes sharp pain in the costosternal joints. The pain can also be dull and gnawing, felt on either side of the sternum, though more commonly on the left, occurs with deep breathing and coughing and is associated with shortness of breath. Injury, physical strain and coughing and sneezing with an upper respiratory infection may produce costochondritis. Usually, the symptoms are short-lived and resolve without intervention. In more serious cases, NSAIDs, tricyclic antidepressant medications, and muscle relaxants are prescribed to relieve the pain.