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Health

Chest pain on the right side

, medical expert
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Pain in the chest on the right - and now the person is upset, confused, he thinks, what is the reason and what to do? The chest contains many organs. In the chest or nearby are the heart, lungs, esophagus, ribs, muscles, etc. A problem with any of these organs can provoke pain in the chest on the right.

Chest pain on the right

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Causes of chest pain on the right

Chest pain on the right side can sometimes be caused by cardiovascular diseases. This is especially common in older people. In most cases, chest pain on the right side is associated with digestive problems, respiratory diseases, injuries or excessive muscle tension, and colds. The most common disease, the symptom of which is chest pain on the right side, is angina pectoris. Let's take a closer look at how to recognize the causes of diseases that cause chest pain on the right side. We will divide them into groups:

  1. Chest pain on the right side associated with chest injuries, strains and damage
  2. chest pain on the right side associated with infections and colds
  3. chest pain on the right side associated with digestive system diseases
  4. chest pain on the right side associated with respiratory diseases
  5. chest pain on the right side related to the cardiovascular system
  6. chest pain on the right side associated with psychological disorders
  7. Chest pain on the right side due to chest injuries, strains and damage

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Chest pain on the right side associated with chest injuries, strains and damage

Overstraining of the chest muscles can cause pain in the right side of the chest, left and in the middle. The pain gets worse after movement and stops after rest. Overstraining of the chest muscles can occur after intense training, lifting weights, or when you have a cold.

Strained chest muscles or ligaments, or rib injuries can cause chest pain on the right side. In most cases, they resolve on their own, but if the pain persists, you should see a doctor.

A recent chest or neck injury can quickly lead to chest pain on the right side. A slight rib displacement can also be the cause of sharp chest pain on the right side. If you experience chest pain immediately after an injury, see a doctor.

Chest pain on the right side associated with infections and colds

Viral infections such as flu, exposure to cold, sitting in a draft, etc. can also cause chest pain on the right side. If a viral infection causes chest pain, it gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough. The respiratory system is the most affected.

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Chest pain on the right side associated with respiratory diseases

Tumor in the lungs and bronchi. The presence of a tumor in or around the lungs can also cause chest pain on the right side. Typically, tumors in the bronchi and lungs are defined by doctors as a common disease, which they call bronchopulmonary cancer. Tumors in the lungs and bronchi can be recognized by a dry cough, and then a cough with expectoration, in which blood is visible. High fever and chest pain are other symptoms of these diseases.

Pneumonia. This is a lung disease caused by pathogenic infectious bacteria or viruses. Pneumonia can be recognized by a high fever, accompanied by chest pain and cough, as well as chills. Pneumonia can affect one or both lungs, so it is called inflammation of the lungs.

Pleurisy or inflammation of the pleura. The pleura is the membrane that covers the lungs. Inflammation of the pleura causes pain in the right side of the chest, especially when coughing or breathing deeply. Pleurisy can be recognized by severe and sudden pain in the chest on the right or left, due to the inability to breathe deeply, people often complain of suffocation. Pleurisy occurs after pneumonia, during tuberculosis, or with cardiovascular diseases.

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Diseases of the digestive tract

Problems in the digestive tract can also cause chest pain on the right side. These diseases can be ulcers, gastritis, esophageal blockages, reflux disease (heartburn).

Gastritis: If you experience pain when you are hungry or after eating, then you are suffering from gastritis, which causes chest pain.

Gallbladder disease. Gallbladder problems are a high probability of chest pain on the right. This pain is usually caused by fatty foods in your menu, frequent consumption of them. Gallstones can also lead to chest pain on the right. Ultrasound of the bladder will help to identify its exact cause. Gallstones can be recognized if the chest pain is sharp, strong, sudden, and comes in attacks.

Liver disease. Liver inflammation can also cause chest pain on the right side. You may also experience pain in your right shoulder, it may radiate to the right hypochondrium or back. It is very important to see a doctor for liver diagnosis if you have these pains.

Pain in the chest on the right can also be caused by hepatitis. This disease affects the liver due to hepatitis viruses, of which there are many types. The most common of them are hepatitis A, B, C, D. You can recognize hepatitis by yellow whites of the eyes, pain in the chest and abdomen, and a change in the color of urine in the form of beer with foam.

Antacids side effect. Regular use of antacids can lead to pain in the right side of the chest. If you have been taking antacids and continue to experience chest pain on the right or left side, consult your doctor about changing your medication.

Pancreatic dysfunction. This is a common cause that doctors overlook when it comes to chest pain. However, it is important to examine pancreatic problems to identify chest pain on the right side. Pancreatic problems can be recognized by the characteristic pain in the chest and around the navel, as well as in the back. The pain is sharp, occurs suddenly, and is relieved or reduced by taking a knee-elbow position.

Food blockage in the digestive tract. If food or liquid gets stuck in the esophagus, it can cause pain on the right side of the chest due to increased pressure on the walls of the esophagus. Blockages in the digestive tract can be recognized by their sharp nature. Chest pain from esophageal blockages increases with coughing, deep breathing, swallowing, and there may be increased salivation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (heartburn). If the flow of acid from the stomach comes back, it can cause chest pain. Then the person suffers from heartburn - a burning unpleasant pain, which is accompanied by belching and sometimes even vomiting, weakness, pallor, increased sweating.

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Cardiovascular related chest pain on the right side

Angina pectoris. It occurs because the heart muscle does not have enough oxygen. That is why a person may experience chest pain on the right, left or in the middle of the chest with this disease. The lack of oxygen is often accompanied by a disease of the coronary vessels that supply blood to the heart - their narrowing. Angina pectoris can be recognized by pressing pain in the chest, which can also be pulling, heavy, radiating to the arm, neck, throat, back. Even teeth can hurt. Angina pectoris can also manifest itself as heartburn, nausea, increased sweating, severe weakness.

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack. This serious illness can be fatal if a doctor is not called in time. A heart attack is caused by a complete blockage of a blood vessel that supplies blood and oxygen to the heart. How to recognize a heart attack? If with angina pectoris the chest pain passes quickly, then with a myocardial infarction it can be long-lasting and very strong. The pain can radiate to the arms, shoulders, throat, accompanied by weakness, increased sweating, even loss of consciousness.

Pericarditis is an inflammatory process in the pericardium, the lining of the heart. Very often, the causes of this disease are unclear to doctors; doctors believe that a viral infection is the main cause. Pericarditis can be recognized by severe sharp pain in the chest on the right, left, or in the middle. This pain intensifies when coughing and breathing, and can also become stronger when a person lies down. However, this pain, unlike heart pain, does not intensify with physical exertion. It can be accompanied by chills and weakness.

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Chest pain on the right side associated with psychological disorders

Psychological stress. Very often, chest pain on the right is caused by stress, which occurs due to problems at work or in personal life. Stress causes muscle tension, which does not allow the muscles to relax. If a person also leads a sedentary lifestyle, the tension remains for a long time, and chest pain on the right due to stress lasts for years. They can be recognized by painful sensations during palpation. These pains can intensify after a person has been overly nervous.

You shouldn't associate chest pain on the right side only with heart disease. There can be quite a few reasons, it is important to recognize them in time and conduct a thorough diagnosis.

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