Chest tightness frequently occurs in asthma patients either alone or with the other classic symptoms of asthma:
As your airways become more inflamed, filled with mucus, and the smooth muscles in your airways constrict making the airways more narrow, chest tightness may be experienced as the inability or perception of not being able to move air in and out of your lungs. This feeling may also increase your anxiety and further worsen the sense of not being able to move air through your lungs. The inflammation, mucus, and muscle tightness may occur after exposure to a trigger, a specific irritant in occupational asthma, or even as a result of exercise in exercise-induced asthma.
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What It Means
Like the other classic symptoms of asthma, chest tightness should not be ignored, especially if you do not have a previous history of asthma. Ignoring a symptom like chest tightness may lead to a asthma attack if you do not follow your asthma care plan appropriately.
Make sure you discuss this symptom with your doctor because a number of other diseases such as heart disease, COPD, and pulmonary embolism can also be associated with chest tightness. If you are unsure of what your symptoms may mean or just want more information, consider using About.com's symptom checker to see what may be causing your symptoms.
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When Should I Call a Doctor?
You need contact a physician if you experience chest tightness and have not previously been diagnosed with asthma. Keeping track of your symptoms may help your doctor decide what to do next. In keeping a symptom diary, you can record the answers to the following questions:
- How often do you get the chest tightness?
- What you are doing when the chest tightness occurs?
- What makes the chest tightness go away?
- Do other classic asthma symptoms occur with the chest tightness?
- What makes the chest tightness get better?
- What does the chest tightness exactly feels like?
Additionally, your doctor may order a whole series of tests. Some will be to help with a diagnosis of asthma and some will be to make sure you do not have one of the previously mentioned serious causes of shortness of breath. This tests may include:
- Pulse oximetry
- Peak flow
- Complete blood count (CBC)- blood test to check for anemia
- Chest x-ray
- Spirometry
- Complete pulmonary function testing
- Cat scan
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Stress test- to look for possible coronary artery disease or blockages in the heart
If you already have a diagnosis of asthma, chest tightness may indicate poor control or worsening symptoms that could escalate into an asthma attack if you do not follow your asthma action plan. Make sure you understand what to do when you experience symptoms and ask your doctor specific questions if you do not understand.
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Sources:
University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics . Health Information. Accessed June 5, 2009. Chest Pain.
Allergy/Asthma Information Association. Accessed June 5, 2009. A Patient's Guide to Asthma Care.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Accessed: June 5, 2009. Expert Panel Report 3 (EPR3): Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma
