Any athlete, even if they are in good physical shape, can experience chest pain during training. There are numerous causes that can produce it, and they can be both benign and dangerous. When we suffer from pain, we must understand it as an alarm that our body sends us. There is something wrong, so we must not overlook it.
Below we will tell you what are the most common causes of chest pain and in which cases you should worry.
Heart attack
Although it is popularly known as a heart attack, its real name is myocardial infarction. This happens when the coronary arteries become blocked and make the heart not get enough oxygen. In this case, if the person does not receive help, they may die.
A heart attack can cause pain in the chest, back, jaw, and other parts of the upper body. You can even suffer episodes in which the pain comes and goes.
Other symptoms that we can find are excessive perspiration, chest pressure, anxiety, dizziness or shortness of breath. If a person experiences any symptoms of a heart attack, medical attention should be sought immediately.
Asthma
Asthma is a condition that can occur at any age and in anyone. This is a problem that affects the airways in the lungs, as they become inflamed and tense. Its medical term is bronchoconstriction and in some cases it can be induced by exercise.
A person with a family history of asthma is more likely to develop it. The most common symptoms are coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
Muscle strain or injury
Chest pain is likely also caused by a training injury. Sometimes the intercostal muscles are affected by muscle strains in the thorax. And these muscles are what help us stabilize the chest and breathe properly. Muscle strains usually appear due to excessive use of the area. Athletes who habitually train their chest muscles are more likely to suffer from them.
The most common symptoms are swelling, pain when breathing, bruising, or sharp pain in the area.
Angina pectoris
Some athletes suffer from angina, which is pain that comes from the heart. Its main cause is the lack of blood circulation in the area. When this happens, you often feel pressure and pain in your chest. Even in some cases there is dizziness, shortness of breath and tightness in the arms.
Both physical exercise and stress can cause angina, and it is common to be confused with a heart attack. In any case, it is imperative that medical help be sought immediately.
Can chest pain be prevented?
In many cases, a proper diet prevents any cardiovascular problem. In addition, exercising regularly keeps our heart healthy, so try to lead a healthy lifestyle so as not to suffer from problems. It is important that you also avoid the consumption of alcohol and tobacco, as well as be careful with the intake of medications that can raise blood pressure.
In the case of suffering from asthma, follow your doctor's instructions and control it with the assigned medications.