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Chest pain can be caused by a variety of conditions, ranging from minor issues to serious medical emergencies. Some common causes include:

1. Cardiac Causes (Heart-related)

• Heart attack (myocardial infarction): Often accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain radiating to the left arm, jaw, or back.
• Angina: Chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, often triggered by physical activity or stress.
• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac around the heart, which can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain.

2. Pulmonary Causes (Lung-related)

• Pulmonary embolism: A blood clot in the lungs, causing sudden sharp chest pain, shortness of breath, and rapid heart rate.
• Pneumothorax: Collapsed lung, causing sudden, sharp pain and difficulty breathing.
• Pneumonia or pleurisy: Lung infection or inflammation, leading to pain when breathing or coughing.

3. Gastrointestinal Causes

• Acid reflux (GERD): Burning chest pain due to stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus.
• Esophageal spasm or rupture: Severe pain related to swallowing or eating.
• Gallbladder issues: Pain in the chest or upper abdomen due to gallstones or inflammation.

4. Musculoskeletal Causes

• Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the sternum, causing localized tenderness.
• Muscle strain: From physical activity or injury.

5. Psychological Causes

• Panic attack: Can mimic heart attack symptoms, with chest pain, rapid breathing, and dizziness.

What to Do

If you or someone else is experiencing chest pain, especially with symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain spreading to other areas, seek immediate medical attention. These could be signs of a life-threatening condition.