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What are the Most Common Causes of Chest Pain and Fatigue?

Patti Kate
Patti Kate

Chest pain and fatigue can produce symptoms that mimic a heart attack, but in many cases, other conditions are the cause. Some of the most common reasons for these symptoms are various forms of heart disease and pneumonia. In certain cases, fibromyalgia, which causes pervasive and expansive pain throughout the body, can also cause these issues.

When an individual complains of unexplained chest pain and fatigue, a medical professional may suspect a disorder or condition involving the heart. Angina often produces frequent bouts of chest discomfort, producing a grasping feeling in the chest along with pressure. The pain can sometimes radiate to other areas, such as the arm or neck.

Chest pain and fatigue may be a sign of heart disease.
Chest pain and fatigue may be a sign of heart disease.

Many individuals suffering from angina often complain of extreme tiredness and fatigue along with chest pain. In one form of this condition, the symptoms of chest discomfort generally occur after physical exercise. A medical professional typically will suggest complete rest for the patient. Medication will sometimes be prescribed to control pain and discomfort.

Asthma can sometimes cause chest pain and fatigue.
Asthma can sometimes cause chest pain and fatigue.

Mitral valve prolapse (MVP), in which one of the heart valves becomes thicker and does not close correctly, can also produce chest pain and fatigue in some individuals. This condition can also lead to an abnormal heartbeat, and a heart murmur can often be detected with a stethoscope. For some reason, this condition more commonly occurs in women than in men, and some experts believe it may be inherited. A medical professional may prescribe different medications to reduce the symptoms.

Complete bed rest is often recommended for people with angina and fatigue.
Complete bed rest is often recommended for people with angina and fatigue.

Periacarditis can also cause these symptoms in many patients. This happens when tissues surrounding the heart become inflamed, typically from an infection. It is an acute condition, and if treated at the onset, it can often be cured with no permanent damage. If it is a mild case, it may not require any further treatment other than rest. Typically, the individual will recover quickly, but in rare cases, surgery may be required.

Mitral valve prolapse can produce chest pain and fatigue in some individuals.
Mitral valve prolapse can produce chest pain and fatigue in some individuals.

When a person develops pneumonia, he or she may experience chest pain, fatigue, a cough, and a fever. Pneumonia occurs when one or both lungs becomes inflamed and infected, usually either from a virus or bacteria. When fluids build in the lungs, this often leads to discomfort and fatigue. The course of treatment is typically bed rest and, if it's bacterial, antibiotic therapy. In severe cases of respiratory distress, hospitalization may be required.

Bronchitis can cause chest pain and fatigue.
Bronchitis can cause chest pain and fatigue.

Other respiratory illnesses can also cause chest pain and fatigue. Asthma and chest pain are often related, so this typically makes it easy to diagnose when the patient is experiencing a flare-up. Patients who have bronchitis, either chronic or acute, will often have chest pain, along with a feeling of extreme fatigue.

Discussion Comments

anon264532

I have pain in the left side of my chest and pain through my left arm. What do I do?

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    • Chest pain and fatigue may be a sign of heart disease.
      By: nebari
      Chest pain and fatigue may be a sign of heart disease.
    • Asthma can sometimes cause chest pain and fatigue.
      By: auremar
      Asthma can sometimes cause chest pain and fatigue.
    • Complete bed rest is often recommended for people with angina and fatigue.
      By: april_89
      Complete bed rest is often recommended for people with angina and fatigue.
    • Mitral valve prolapse can produce chest pain and fatigue in some individuals.
      By: Matthew Cole
      Mitral valve prolapse can produce chest pain and fatigue in some individuals.
    • Bronchitis can cause chest pain and fatigue.
      By: rob3000
      Bronchitis can cause chest pain and fatigue.
    • Chest pain and fatigue may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
      By: creo77
      Chest pain and fatigue may be caused by pneumonia, which can be diagnosed via chest X-ray.
    • A physician typically uses a stethoscope to detect an abnormal heartbeat.
      By: aykuterd
      A physician typically uses a stethoscope to detect an abnormal heartbeat.
    • Chest pain and fatigue that occurs following an amputation should be reported to a doctor immediately.
      By: memorisz
      Chest pain and fatigue that occurs following an amputation should be reported to a doctor immediately.
    • A person who is affected by intense stress may experience chest pain and excessive fatigue.
      By: Photographee.eu
      A person who is affected by intense stress may experience chest pain and excessive fatigue.