What should you know about common cold chest tightness?

Repeated coughing, mucus and inflamed airways can make the chest feel tight or sore during a respiratory infection. A cold may also trigger symptoms in someone with asthma or COPD. The sensation can have non-respiratory causes, including acid reflux, anxiety or panic.

Chest tightness is a symptom, not a diagnosis. Angina and other heart problems can cause pressure or tightness, especially with exertion, and may occur with sweating, nausea, breathlessness or discomfort spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw.

Stop exertion, sit upright and note when the tightness began, what brings it on, and whether breathing or coughing changes it. Avoid smoke and strong fumes. If you have a prescribed reliever inhaler, use it according to your personal action plan; do not borrow someone else’s inhaler.

Arrange medical advice for new, unexplained or recurring tightness, even if cold symptoms seem mild. A clinician may need to listen to your chest and consider your medical history.

Call emergency services for severe or worsening tightness, severe breathlessness, blue or grey lips, fainting, confusion, or pressure with sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw. Do not drive yourself if you feel faint or seriously unwell. Use your prescribed emergency plan if you have one.

Could this be airway irritation, asthma, reflux or a heart-related symptom? Do I need an inhaler assessment? Which changes mean I should seek emergency help?