Will bowing your head for a long time cause chest pain?

For many patients with angina pectoris, many behaviors in life can cause chest pain. If you suffer from angina pectoris, you need to pay attention to many things in your life, because if the disease occurs, it can be very dangerous. So, if you suffer from angina pectoris, will it cause chest pain if you lower your head to do things for a long time? In fact, it is recommended that you do not work for long hours, and it is best to combine work and rest.

Patients with angina pectoris have blood clots in their coronary arteries, which can cause poor blood flow, insufficient blood supply to the heart, myocardial hypoxia and insufficient nutrient supply, and can indeed cause symptoms of chest tightness or chest pain. However, the heart is not the only organ that can cause chest pain in the upper abdomen. Diseases of the esophagus, lungs, gallbladder, or stomach can also cause chest pain. In addition, psychological factors such as anxiety can also cause chest pain. Next, let’s take a look at what other specific situations can cause chest pain.

1. Chest pain after eating may be a problem with the digestive tract

Chest pain after eating, especially pain in the lower chest, is mostly caused by the digestive system rather than heart disease. There are three possible reasons:

1. Gastroesophageal reflux

With gastroesophageal reflux, stomach acid sometimes flows back up from the stomach into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in the chest that is often mistaken for angina or a heart attack.

2. Esophageal spasm

The esophagus is a straight tube between the pharynx and the stomach. When the esophagus spasms, the sudden and powerful contraction of the muscles can cause pain between the pharynx and the stomach, which can easily be mistaken for chest pain. Additionally, spasms can block food from the esophagus from entering the stomach.

3. Gallbladder disease

Sudden pain within 30 minutes of eating may be a sign of gallstones. Pain caused by gallstones is usually located below the breastbone and may radiate into the right shoulder and between the shoulder blades. The pain occurs because gallstones block the flow of bile to the liver, so the gallbladder contracts more vigorously than usual in order to pump out bile.

2. Inflammation in the body causes chest pain

If we suffer trauma, infection, or autoimmune disease, our immune cells will attack our own tissues, causing inflammation of the tissues in the chest cavity. There are two common types of inflammation that cause chest pain:

1. Costal cartilage inflammation

Inflammation of the chest wall between the ribs and sternum can cause pain or stabbing pain that is often mistaken for a heart attack. But it is very different from heart disease. Costal cartilage inflammation is usually caused by sports injuries or excessive exercise, and is often accompanied by joint inflammation.

2. Pericarditis

The pericardium is a protective, double-layered sac surrounding the heart. Pericarditis can occur for many reasons, including a viral or other infection, certain medical conditions, a chest injury, radiation therapy for cancer, or an adverse reaction to some medications. The classic symptom of pericarditis is sharp, stabbing pain in the center or left side of the chest that is worse with deep breathing or lying down.

3. Chest pain caused by lung disease

The following lung disorders can cause chest pain that can be confused with angina:

1. Pneumonia

People with pneumonia may experience shortness of breath and chest pain after taking a deep breath. But unlike angina, pneumonia is accompanied by other symptoms, such as fever, chills, or cough.

2. Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism, caused by a blood clot that enters a blood vessel in the lungs, can also cause chest pain. The pain is often accompanied by a fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden difficulty breathing, dizziness, or fainting. Pulmonary embolism can be life-threatening. If you experience any of the above symptoms, please call emergency services immediately.

4. Psychological factors can also cause chest pain

Excessive anxiety and severe shock can cause symptoms similar to angina. Chest pain may occur when encountering sudden events or high stress, and this pain is usually accompanied by chest tightness, shortness of breath, palpitations and dizziness. Unlike angina, chest pain caused by anxiety and shock is short-lived, usually lasting only one to two minutes.

If chest pain recurs or persists for several days, it is recommended that you see a doctor for a detailed examination to determine the cause. If the chest pain is severe, lasts for several minutes, and does not subside after rest, you should seek medical attention immediately without delay.