Right side chest pain can be unsettling; it might range from a dull ache to a sharp stabbing pain that worsens with movement or deep breathing. This discomfort often brings chest tightness or soreness, making it harder to focus or rest. Unlike left-sided pain, which is often linked to heart problems, chest pain on the right side is usually associated with lung, muscle, or digestive issues. Understanding the underlying cause can help you take the right steps toward relief and prevention.
Many people worry if pain on the right side means heart issues, but knowing where the heart is located helps ease concern. This blog explores the right side chest pain causes, treatments, and practical ways to prevent it. Whether it’s mild or severe, being informed about potential triggers helps you act quickly and protect your long-term health. If the pain becomes intense or persistent, visit an Amarillo emergency room for immediate evaluation and expert medical care.
What Is Right Side Chest Pain?
Right side chest pain refers to discomfort or tightness that occurs on the right portion of your chest, often due to problems in the lungs, muscles, ribs, or digestive tract. Pain in the right side of the chest can appear suddenly or develop gradually, sometimes spreading to the shoulder, back, or upper abdomen.
It’s important not to ignore pain in the right side of the chest, especially when it comes with shortness of breath, coughing, or chest pain when breathing. Because the lungs sit just below the rib cage, knowing where your lungs are located can help identify possible respiratory causes. In some cases, inflammation in the pectoralis minor or minor pectoralis muscle can mimic deeper internal pain.
Common Causes of Right Side Chest Pain
Pain from the right side of the chest can arise from multiple sources, from lung pain to rib strain or digestive problems. Let’s explore the major right side chest pain causes that can lead to discomfort or tightness in this area:
- Lung-Related Causes
- Musculoskeletal Causes
- Digestive Causes
- Shingles or Nerve Pain
Lung-Related Causes
Lung pain is among the most frequent triggers of right-sided chest pain, especially when pain worsens with deep breathing or coughing. Conditions like pleurisy causes pneumonia, or pulmonary embolism often involve inflammation or restricted airflow. If your chest hurts when breathing in, seek medical advice immediately.
Key causes include:
- Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot that blocks lung arteries, causing sharp chest pain when breathing deeply, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath.
- Pneumonia: An infection in one or both lungs can cause right-sided chest pain, fever, and difficulty breathing, especially when coughing or taking deep breaths.
- Pleurisy or Pleuritis: Inflammation of the lining around the lungs leads to stabbing pain that worsens with breathing or coughing.
- Collapsed Lung (Pneumothorax): When air leaks into the space between the lung and chest wall, it can cause sudden sharp pain and breathing difficulty.
- Pulmonary Hypertension: High blood pressure in the lung arteries may result in right-sided chest pain, fatigue, and shortness of breath during exertion.
- COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease): Chronic bronchitis or emphysema causes tightness or discomfort in the chest due to restricted airflow.
- Asthma Attack: Narrowing of the airways causes chest tightness, wheezing, and breathing difficulty that may affect one or both sides of the chest.
- Lung Cancer: Tumors in the lungs can cause persistent chest pain, coughing, and weight loss if they press on surrounding nerves or tissues.
Musculoskeletal Causes
When pain from the right side of the chest intensifies with movement, stretching, or physical exertion, it’s often due to injury or inflammation in the chest wall. Repeated strain from exercise, poor posture, or even coughing can irritate muscles and joints in the ribcage. These issues typically cause sharp, localized pain rather than deep internal discomfort.
Research shows that 28% of visits to the emergency room for chest pain are due to musculoskeletal issues, such as muscle strain. This highlights how common and often overlooked this cause can be compared to cardiac or lung-related pain.
Key causes include:
- Chest Muscle Strain: Overuse, heavy lifting, or excessive coughing can strain chest muscles, resulting in soreness that intensifies with motion.
- Rib Fracture or Broken Rib: A cracked or broken rib can lead to sharp, localized pain that worsens with deep breaths or pressure on the chest.
- Costochondritis (Inflammation of Chest Cartilage): Inflammation where the ribs meet the breastbone causes tenderness and aching on the right side of the chest.
Digestive Causes
Digestive system issues are another overlooked source of right side chest pain. Conditions that affect the gallbladder or upper abdomen can create referred pain, making it feel like chest pressure or burning. Problems such as acid reflux, bile duct blockage, or gallbladder inflammation can also worsen after heavy or fatty meals.
Key causes include:
- Gallstones and Chest Pain: Gallstones can block bile flow, causing severe upper abdominal pain that radiates to the right chest or shoulder.
- Gallbladder Inflammation: Known as cholecystitis, this condition causes sharp pain under the right ribs, nausea, and abdominal tenderness.
- Bile Duct Blockage: A blocked bile duct can lead to chest discomfort, jaundice, and pain that worsens after eating.
- Acid Reflux or GERD: Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus creates burning or pressure in the right chest, especially after meals.
Shingles or Nerve Pain
Sometimes, right-side chest pain is caused by nerve irritation rather than internal organ problems. Shingles, a viral infection that affects the nerves, can cause burning, tingling, or stabbing pain along one side of the chest. Even after the rash heals, nerve pain may linger for weeks or months, leading to ongoing discomfort.
Key causes include:
- Shingles Chest Pain: A viral infection that affects nerves, causing tingling, burning, or stabbing pain along one side of the chest.
- Postherpetic Neuralgia: Persistent nerve pain even after the rash heals, where the right part of my chest hurts for weeks.
Treatment Approaches for Right Side Chest Pain
Managing right-side chest pain begins with identifying its exact cause. Because the discomfort can stem from the lungs, muscles, or even digestive organs, treatment plans are tailored to address the specific source. Your healthcare provider may use medications to control pain and inflammation or recommend procedures to restore normal function and prevent further complications.
Medications
Medications are often used to relieve symptoms or treat the underlying issue in cases such as:
- Pulmonary embolism
- Asthma
- COPD
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy or pleuritis
- Pulmonary hypertension
- Broken or bruised ribs
- Chest muscle strain
- Shingles (nerve pain)
- Gallstones and related inflammation
Procedures or Surgeries
Certain causes of pain in the right side of the chest may require more advanced care, such as:
- Pulmonary embolism treatment or clot removal
- Pneumothorax repair to re-expand the lung
- Drainage or surgical management for pleurisy
- Gallbladder removal for pain under right breast due to stones
- Lung cancer treatment, which may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy
How to Prevent Right Side Chest Pain
While not all causes can be avoided, you can significantly reduce your risk by adopting healthy habits and preventive strategies. Prioritizing lung and heart health, staying active, and avoiding lifestyle triggers can go a long way toward preventing discomfort.
Maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, and managing underlying conditions like high blood pressure or COPD can also minimize flare-ups. Avoid smoking, limit alcohol consumption, and practice deep breathing or relaxation techniques to strengthen your respiratory system.
Key Takeaways:
- Stay physically active and maintain a healthy weight.
- Manage chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, or hypertension.
- Avoid smoking and exposure to environmental pollutants.
- Seek early medical advice if pain worsens or persists.
- Keep your lungs strong with breathing exercises and proper hydration.
Take Control of Right Side Chest Pain
Right sided chest pain can stem from many sources, from lung pain and chest muscle strain to digestive or nerve issues. Identifying the root cause early helps prevent complications and ensures timely treatment.
Never ignore a painful chest when breathing or the persistent right side of my chest hurting sensations. In right sided chest pain in women, early evaluation is key. Stay proactive about your health, make mindful lifestyle choices, and never overlook persistent discomfort. For those needing further evaluation or ongoing monitoring, you can visit Neighbors Emergency Center for inpatient care facilities that provide accurate diagnosis, advanced treatment, and comprehensive care for chest pain and related conditions.