When arteries that supply the heart with blood become
progressively clogged over time with cholesterol and other
deposits, they can cut off the heart's supply of oxygen and
cause chest pain called angina (an-JYE-nuh). That type of chest
pain is a sign you may be having a heart attack. However, there
are other types of chest pain, as well, which may be the result
of a variety of factors. You may be experiencing pain in the
chest as a result of non-cardiac surgery of the esophagus,
lungs, ribs, chest wall, or breast. The surgery can cause
intense irritation and pain at entry sites from the incision,
from drains, or from chest tubes. It's important to distinguish
between pain from surgery and pain that may signal cardiac pain,
which could indicate a heart attack. Diseases of the lungs, such
as bronchitis and pneumonia, may also cause chest pain.
Shingles, a painful viral condition of the sensory nerves, can
send pain signals to the chest. Some spinal injuries or
conditions can cause chest pain, with the pain rad