Chest tightness upper right side: what to know

Pain that changes with a deep breath, movement, or pressing the area can fit irritation of muscles, ribs, or the lining around the lung. Cough, wheeze, or breathlessness may occur with asthma or COPD. Burning behind the breastbone, sour fluid, or symptoms after meals can occur with Acid Reflux. Angina is a heart condition that can present with pressure or tightness, sometimes felt away from the centre of the chest. Anxiety or panic can also tighten breathing muscles, but a new or unexplained episode should not be labelled anxiety without assessment.

Stop strenuous activity and sit upright while you observe the sensation. Note when it began, whether it follows eating or exertion, how long it lasts, and whether breathing or movement changes it. Avoid driving yourself if you feel faint or very unwell. Arrange medical advice for a new, recurring, or unexplained symptom; a clinician may check your heart, lungs, chest wall, and medicines. Use prescribed treatment only as directed; an inhaler should not be borrowed from someone else.

Call emergency services for tightness that is severe, sudden, persistent, or worsening, especially with trouble breathing, fainting, cold sweating, nausea, blue or grey lips, confusion, or discomfort spreading to the arm, back, neck, or jaw. Seek prompt assessment for coughing blood, a high fever with breathing difficulty, or one-sided leg swelling with chest symptoms. Do not wait to see whether changing position settles a potentially serious episode.

Could the pattern fit a chest-wall, lung, digestive, or heart problem? What examinations or tests are appropriate? Which symptoms should make me seek emergency help, and how should I use any prescribed inhaler?