Costochondritis: Chest Pain That Isn't Your Heart. Costochondritis explained: chest wall pain symptoms, how it differs from heart pain, causes, how long it lasts and simple ways to ease it.
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage joining the ribs to the breastbone. It causes sharp or aching chest pain that worsens when pressing on the area, moving or breathing deeply. It is harmless and usually settles within weeks, but new chest pain should always be checked first to rule out heart problems.
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone, called the costochondral joints. It is a common cause of chest wall pain in adults and teenagers.
Although the pain can feel worrying, costochondritis is not dangerous and does not damage the heart or lungs.
The most important first step with any new chest pain is to rule out the heart. Doctors only diagnose costochondritis after other causes are considered.
| Feature | Costochondritis | Possible heart pain | |---|---|---| | Pressing the chest | Reproduces the pain | Usually does not change it | | Movement | Often worsens it | Usually unrelated | | Exertion | Not strongly linked | Often triggered by effort | | Other symptoms | Usually none | Breathlessness, sweating, nausea | | Spread | Stays in the chest wall | May spread to arm, jaw or back |
Call emergency services for chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back.
Often no clear cause is found. Recognised triggers include:
Most cases improve within a few weeks. Some people have symptoms on and off for several months, especially if the trigger continues.
Persistent cases may be referred for physiotherapy, and occasionally an injection is used.
| Option | How it helps | Best for | |---|---|---| | Rest from aggravating activity | Lets the irritated cartilage settle | Every case, first step | | Heat or ice | Calms local soreness | Day-to-day relief | | Anti-inflammatory medication | Reduces pain and inflammation | Short courses, if suitable | | Stretching and physiotherapy | Improves chest and upper back mobility | Pain lasting several weeks | | Local anaesthetic or steroid injection | Targets one very tender joint | Persistent localised pain | | Treating the trigger | Stops repeated strain, such as coughing | Ongoing cough or lifting load |
See a doctor for any new chest pain, and urgently if you have fever, swelling or redness over the ribs, pain after a significant injury, or symptoms that are getting worse rather than better.
No. It is uncomfortable but harmless, once heart and lung causes have been ruled out.
Stress does not cause the inflammation, but tension and shallow breathing can make chest wall pain feel worse.
Gentle walking is usually fine. Avoid heavy upper-body exercise until pain settles.
Tietze syndrome is similar but includes visible swelling over the joint and usually affects one area.
Mostly by examination, with tests such as an ECG used to rule out other causes when needed.
Costochondritis is inflammation of the cartilage joining the ribs to the breastbone, causing sharp chest wall pain that worsens when the area is pressed, with movement or with deep breaths, and it usually settles within a few weeks. Rest from heavy lifting, heat or ice, suitable pain relief and gentle stretching help most people, but any new chest pain should be checked first, and pain with breathlessness, sweating or spreading to the arm or jaw needs emergency care. Heart health is explained further in what is artery blockage.
1. Costochondritis - MedlinePlus 2. Costochondritis - NHS 3. Chest pain - MedlinePlus 4. Costochondritis diagnosis and treatment - Google Scholar