Sudden, sharp chest pain that goes away can happen for a number of reasons. There are different kinds of chest pain. Chest pain may not be a sign of a serious illness. It may not even be linked to your heart.
In fact, according to one 2016 study, only about 6 percent of people who go to the emergency room because of chest pain are actually facing a life-threatening condition.
Most heart attacks cause a dull, crushing pain or discomfort in the center of the chest. The pain typically lasts longer than a few minutes. It might also go away and then happen again.
Get urgent medical care if you have severe, sudden pain or any other kind of chest pain. Go to the emergency room or call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.
Sudden, sharp chest pain lasts for less than a few seconds. Some people might describe it as an electric shock or a stabbing pain. It lasts for an instant and then it's gone.
Here are some common causes of this type of chest pain.
Heartburn or acid reflux is also called indigestion and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). It happens when stomach acid splashes up from your stomach. This can cause a sudden pain or burning feeling in the chest.
Heartburn is a common cause of chest pain. Almost 15 million people in the United States have heartburn symptoms every day. You may also have:
Precordial catch syndrome (PCS) is a non-serious condition that occurs mostly in children and young adults, but can also happen in adulthood. It's thought to be aggravated by either a pinched nerve in the chest or a muscle spasm. Characteristics of PCS include pain that:
No treatment is necessary for this, and there are no negative health effects.
Muscle or bone problems can cause sudden, sharp chest pain. Your ribs and the muscles between them can get injured or bruised by working out, carrying something heavy, or in a fall. You can also sprain a muscle in your chest wall.
Chest muscle or bone strain can lead to a sudden, sharp pain in your chest. This is especially common if the muscle or bone pinches a nerve. Damage to chest wall muscles and bones can be caused by:
Lung and breathing problems can cause sudden, sharp chest pain. Some lung problems can be serious. See your doctor immediately if you have any of these symptoms:
Lung conditions that can cause chest pain include:
Severe anxiety and panic attacks can cause sudden, sharp chest pain. This mental health condition can happen for no reason at all. Some people may have a panic attack after a stressful or emotional event.
Other symptoms of a panic attack are also very similar to a heart attack. These include:
Most people think of a heart attack when they have chest pain. Heart attacks typically cause a dull pain or an uncomfortable feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest. They may also cause a burning pain in the chest.
The pain will normally last for several minutes or more. Additionally, chest pain from a heart attack is usually diffuse. This means that it is difficult to pinpoint. The chest pain may spread from the center or all over the chest.
Get emergency medical treatment if you have any symptoms of a heart attack, including:
Other heart conditions can also trigger chest pain. They may be more likely to cause sudden, sharp chest pain than a heart attack. Any condition that affects the heart can be serious and needs medical attention.
Other heart-related causes of chest pain include:
Other causes of sudden, sharp chest pain include digestive disorders and viral infections like:
Most causes of sudden, sharp chest pain are not caused by a heart attack. However, some other causes of chest pain can be serious. If you have chest pain or any other symptoms of a heart condition, get immediate medical attention.
A doctor can find out what is causing your chest pain. You may need a chest X-ray or scan and a blood test. An ECG test that looks at your heartbeat can check your heart health.
Only a small percentage of people with chest pain are actually having a heart attack. However, it is always better to have a doctor confirm the cause of your sudden, sharp chest pain.