Why do I get chest pain when I run?

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Chest pain during a run ranges from trivial to serious, and the character of the pain sorts it fast. The harmless end: a sharp, localized, stabbing pain you can point to with one finger, worse with deep breaths or twisting - that is muscle strain or chest-wall pain, common in runners, eased by rest. Side stitches and acid reflux also show up mid-run.

The pattern that demands respect: pressure, squeezing, tightness, or heaviness in the center or left chest - an ache rather than a stab - triggered by exertion and easing within minutes of stopping. That is the angina pattern, per NHLBI: the heart muscle short of blood under load. Radiation to the arm, jaw, or back, and company like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or dizziness, raise the stakes further. Angina during exercise is not a young person's typical story, but it happens - and in anyone over 35, with risk factors like smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or family history, exertional chest pressure is a stop-running-and-get-checked signal, urgently.

Call emergency services for exertional chest pressure that does not ease with rest, or comes with those companions. For recurring milder exertional pain, book a prompt doctor visit and do not push through training until cleared - a stress test is usually the next step.

Pymander is a free AI doctor, 24/7 by text. Describe the pain's character and your risk factors, and it can help you judge urgency.

Why do I get chest pain when I run?

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