Dr. Joseph Mercola - Take Control of Your Health Sudden Chest Pain: Heart Attack or Harmless? - AI Podcast
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Jun 18, 2025 Sudden chest pain can be misleading, with most cases being harmless. Precordial catch syndrome is a common culprit, often triggered by poor posture. Digestive issues, like GERD, can mimic heart pain, influenced by diet and stress. Panic attacks and certain muscle strains are also non-threatening causes. However, serious conditions like pulmonary embolism require urgent attention. Understanding these distinctions can help you manage discomfort and know when to seek help.
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Most Chest Pain is Non-Life-Threatening
- Less than 6% of ER visits for chest pain are life-threatening, per a 2016 JAMA study.
- Yet distinguishing nerve pain from cardiac emergencies remains critically important.
Precordial Catch Syndrome Explained
- Precordial catch syndrome causes brief, sharp chest pain from pinched intercostal nerves.
- It typically lasts seconds to minutes and is harmless, not linked to heart or lung disease.
Improve Posture to Reduce Pain
- Poor posture triggers precordial catch syndrome by compressing nerves.
- Improve symptoms by sitting upright, taking slow deep breaths, and doing a daily doorway stretch.