Chest pain can be severe or mild but is not always a sign of heart attack. There can be several other reasons behind it. However, it is recommended to see the doctor to evaluate the possibility of heart disease or any other serious health condition. Once it has been cleared that it isn’t a heart problem that causes chest pain, you can try home remedies to treat the pain.
But chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack or another heart problem. Angina is chest pain, usually short-lived and often relieved by rest, that happens because the heart isn’t getting enough oxygen. The pain is usually in the chest and may also be felt in the shoulder, arm, or jaw.
The treatment for angina depends on the severity of the symptoms and the results of tests that are done to find the cause. If your doctor has diagnosed you with angina, follow their recommendations. This may mean rest and medication. It may include a visit to the hospital emergency room.
What Causes Chest Pain?
Chest pain differs from person to person and varies in its intensity, location, and duration. And though it is one of the major symptoms of a heart condition, it could also occur due to less serious issues. Let us look at the causes of chest pain.Lung-related Causes
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Pleuritis
- Pneumothorax, which is caused by leakage of air from your lungs into your chest
- Pulmonary embolism or blood clot
- Bronchospasm or constriction of your air passages (common in those with asthma)
Heart-related Causes
- Heart attack
- Angina due to blocked blood vessels of your heart
- Pericarditis, which is caused by inflammation of a sac around your heart
- Myocarditis, which is caused by inflammation of the heart muscle
- Cardiomyopathy, a disease of the heart muscle
- Aortic dissection, which is caused by a tear in the aorta
Muscle Or Bone- related Causes
- Injured or broken ribs
- Sore muscles from exertion or pain syndromes
- Pressure on your nerves because of compression fractures
Signs And Symptoms
Heart-related Symptoms
- Chest feels tight and pressured
- Jaw, back or arm pain
- Fatigue and weakness
- Dizziness
- Abdominal aches
- Pain during exertion
- Shortness of breath
- Nausea
Other Symptoms
- An acidic/sour taste in the mouth
- Pain on swallowing or eating
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Pain that worsens or feels better depending on your body position
- Pain on breathing deeply or coughing
- Fever and chills
- Panic or anxiety
- Back pain that radiates towards the chest
Home Remedies
Apple Cider Vinegar
You Will Need
- 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
- 1 glass of water
What You Have To Do
- Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a glass of water and mix well.
- Consume this solution.
Vitamins
Studies have found that deficiencies in vitamins D and B12 lead to chest pain and even myocardial infarction or heart attack. So, if you are suffering from chest pain, one of the first things you must address is your diet. Ensure that you are following a healthy and balanced diet that contains foods rich in all the vitamins required for your body to function normally.Aloe Vera Juice
You Will Need
- 1/4 cup of aloe vera juice
What You Have To Do
- Consume aloe vera juice.
How Often You Should Do This
- You must drink aloe vera juice 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Aloe vera is a miraculous plant that offers a wide range of health benefits. It can help strengthen your cardiovascular system, regulate good cholesterol, lower your triglyceride levels, and also reduce blood pressure. All of these help in relieving chest pain.
Garlic
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of garlic juice
- 1 cup of warm water
What You Have To Do
- Add a teaspoon of garlic juice to a cup of warm water.
- Mix well and consume it every day.
- You can also chew on one or two garlic cloves every morning.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Among the various benefits of garlic, the major ones are preventing cardiovascular disease and improving blood flow to your heart. Poor blood flow to your heart increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, and this, in turn, increases the chances of developing chest pain. Hence, daily consumption of garlic is a great way to deal with chest pain.
MIMI (Multi ion mask insert)
- Can be worn with any facemask and provides additional heavy-duty protection.
- Adult & Youth Sizes Available
Hot Drinks
Sipping on anything hot – be it a glass of hot water or a refreshing cup of herbal tea – can help relieve chest pain that occurs due to bloating or indigestion. Hot drinks can reduce bloating, aid digestion, and enhance heart health.Turmeric With Milk.
You Will Need
- 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder
- 1 glass of hot milk
What You Have To Do
- Mix half a teaspoon of turmeric powder in a glass of hot milk.
- Consume this mixture.
How Often You Should Do This
You must drink this mixture once daily, before going to bed.
Why This Works
Turmeric is a rich source of curcumin. This compound is widely used to reduce cholesterol oxidation, clot formation, and artery plaque build-up – all of which may lead to heart problems and chest pain. Curcumin also possesses anti-inflammatory properties that help in reducing the intensity of chest pain
Basil
You Will Need
- 8-10 basil leaves
What You Have To Do
- Chew on basil leaves.
- Alternatively, you can consume basil tea.
- You can also extract a teaspoon of basil juice and consume it with some honey.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this once daily for effective results.
Why This Works
Basil contains high levels of vitamin K and magnesium. While magnesium promotes blood flow to the heart and relaxes the blood vessels, vitamin K prevents the build-up of cholesterol in the walls of your blood vessels. This helps in the treatment of cardiac disorders as well as chest pain
Cayenne Pepper
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of powdered cayenne pepper
- 1 glass of any fruit juice
What You Have To Do
- Add one teaspoon of cayenne pepper to a glass of any fruit juice and mix well.
- Consume this.
How Often You Should Do This
You must consume this once daily.
Why This Works
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which possesses strong anti-inflammatory properties that help lessen the intensity of pain in your chest. It also helps in regulating the blood flow to your heart, thereby preventing heart diseases that may also lead to chest pain
Fenugreek Seeds
You Will Need
- 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds
What You Have To Do
- Soak a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds overnight and consume them the next morning.
- Alternatively, you can boil a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds in some water for 5 minutes and drink the mixture after straining.
How Often You Should Do This
- Do this 1 to 2 times daily.
Why This Works
Fenugreek seeds exhibit powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that enhance cardiovascular health and prevent chest pain. They do so by promoting blood flow to the heart and reducing the cholesterol levels.
Almonds
You Will Need
A handful of almonds
What You Have To Do
- Soak a handful of almonds in water for a couple of hours.
- Remove the skin and eat the almonds.
- You can also mix equal amounts of almond oil and rose oil and rub the mixture on your chest for quick relief.
How Often You Should Do This
You must do this once daily.
Why This Works
Almonds are rich sources of polyunsaturated fatty acids, which not only promote cardiac health but also help reduce cholesterol levels. This can help in the treatment of cardiovascular disease and chest pain.
In addition to these remedies, you can also try the following:
a. Cold Packs: Strenuous activities like exercises or blunt trauma can cause chest pain. The application of cold pack can help to get rid of swelling and pain.
b. Lie Down: Lying down immediately with the head elevated above the body relieves chest pain due to angina as gravity is eliminated and blood supply to heart is increased. Sitting upright can relieve pain due to acid reflux.
c. Alkaline Foods: Alkaline foods can reduce inflammation in the body, thereby reducing the incidence of peptic ulcer, heart diseases, and cancer. A few alkaline foods are fruits like apple, banana, blackberries, dates, oranges, and pineapple, and vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, mushroom, carrot, celery, mushrooms, pumpkin, and eggplants.
Relief Tips
- Avoid strenuous activities.
- Follow a balanced diet.
- Limit the intake of alcohol.
- Avoid using tobacco.
- Keep yourself stress-free.
- Practice yoga poses like Matsyasana (Fish Pose), Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose), and Dhanurasana (Bow Pose).
- Try acupressure massages.
Bottom Line
Home remedies for chest pain are beneficial if the ache in your chest has resulted from strenuous activity or indigestion. Depending on the source of your chest pain, you may be able to tackle it at home.
You may get anxious whenever you feel a sharp, intense, burning sensation in your chest and think you are experiencing a heart attack, but it isn’t always the case. Although cardiac arrest is a possibility, especially if you have pain in your left side, chest pain can have multiple reasons.
