Can Gas Lead to Chest Pain? Understanding the Link

Gas is the natural product of the digestive process. However, sometimes, it can lead to chest pain due to gas. It is a concerning symptom that can cause distress and worry, which sometimes can misunderstood as heart pain due to gas. The aetiology of noncardiac chest pain affects more than one-third of the global population, with individuals frequently presenting this complaint as a common condition in emergency rooms. If you doubt, ‘Can gas cause chest pain?’, The answer is yes. The reasons for chest pain due to gas are complex and multifaceted. This blog explores the link between chest pain and gas.

Why is chest pain due to gas misunderstood as heart pain?

When gas gets trapped in your upper abdomen, it can cause intense chest pain, sometimes making people wonder if they’re experiencing a heart attack instead of just needing to pass gas. Fortunately, while chest pain can signal a real emergency, there are ways to differentiate between the two.  

One of the major causes of noncardiac chest pain is gastrointestinal disorders, especially gastroesophageal reflux disease. In this condition, the flow of stomach contents is reversed back into the oesophagus, which can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This can often be mistaken for cardiac pain. In addition, excessive gas build-up in the digestive tract can put pressure on the diaphragm, leading to chest discomfort.

If chest pain subsides after burping or passing gas, it might be just the case of gastric pain or heartburn. However, if the pain continues and is accompanied by breathing difficulty and nausea, it could be a sign of heart issues. Chest pain that signals a heart attack often feels like a heavy tightening in the centre or left side of the chest. Right sided chest pain reasons may include many issues such as anxiety, stress, muscle strain, acid reflux or heartburn and heart conditions that potentially affect the right shoulder or jaw.

Causes of chest pain due to gas

Chest pain due to gas is often felt in the lower chest and can be caused by certain foods or underlying medical conditions. If you’re experiencing pain in your right side or left side chest due to gas, it’s important to identify the cause and consult a medical professional. Gastric pain in the chest, right side chest pain reasons or left side chest pain can have several reasons. Here are some of them:

• Due to certain foods and medications:  
• Certain classes of medications and food types can often lead to gas build-up that causes chest pain.
• Drinking carbonated drinks: Excessive consumption of beverages such as soda and beer can lead to bloating and gas build-up in the abdomen. This can lead to chest pain as these contain high amounts of carbon dioxide gas.
• Eating excessive fibre-rich foods: Intake of high-fibre foods such as lentils and beans can lead to indigestion as these foods are not easily digestible. This can cause bloating and gas build-up, especially if the body is not used to high fibre intake.
• Medications: Certain medications like antacids, antidiarrheals, iron pills, aspirin or opioids can cause gastric irritation, which may induce chest pain.  

Medical conditions:

Several medical conditions can also cause chest pain due to gas, such as:

• Heartburn/Acid reflux: When stomach acid flows back into the oesophagus, it causes heartburn, a burning sensation that can mimic chest pain due to gas. Eating large meals and swallowing excess air can contribute to both heartburn and gas pain.
• Gallbladder disease: Conditions like gallbladder inflammation or stones can cause abdominal discomfort and diarrhoea. Pain from gallbladder disease can sometimes be mistaken for chest pain due to gas.
• Food poisoning: Consuming food contaminated with viruses, bacteria or parasites can lead to food poisoning, which may cause sudden gas pain in the chest, along with nausea, vomiting, fever and abdominal pain.
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): IBS is an inflammatory digestive condition that causes bloating, intestinal gas, abdominal cramps and irregular bowel movements. It can sometimes lead to left-side chest pain due to gas.
• Food sensitivity: If your body is not used to certain foods, such as lactose or gluten, it can produce gas. For instance, individuals with lactose intolerance or celiac disease may experience left-side chest pain due to gas accumulation caused after consuming wheat orv or dairy products.

Symptoms  

Gas-induced chest pain can vary from person to person, making it challenging to describe exactly how it might feel for you. Common symptoms include:  

• A sensation of pressure or tightness on the right or left side of the chest
• Sharp pain in the chest or upper abdomen
• Swelling or bloating in the abdominal area
• Voluntary or involuntary passing of gas, either through farting or belching.
• Meanwhile, the signs of chest pain that warrant early signs of heart attack include:  
• Cold sweats
• Tightness or pressure in the chest region
• Pain in the arm, back or neck
• Acid reflux
• Unexplained fatigue
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shortness of breath  

A heart attack is significantly more serious. However, since everyone experiences pain differently, distinguishing between gas-induced chest pain and heart attack can be quite challenging.

Managing chest pain arising due to gas  

Chest pain caused by the accumulation of gas can be relieved by allowing it to escape through burping or farting. Here are some of the measures that can be followed:

• Mild exercises such as walking or abdomen exercises can relax the gut and help to move gas through the digestive system.
• Consuming ginger tea or warm water with powdered ginger is known to prevent bloating.
• Applying a heating pad or hot water bottle to the abdomen can relax the gut.
• An abdominal self-massage can help improve digestion, reduce bloating and relieve tension in the stomach area.
• Consult your healthcare provider for medicines that can be used to relieve gas.  
• Also, seek advice from the doctor to stop medications that may trigger acid reflux.

Prevent gas build-up

Following a healthy lifestyle can help to prevent or minimise the gas build-up that triggers chest pain. Here are some of them:

• Reduce the intake of hard-digestible foods such as beans, dairy and greasy foods.
• Limiting carbonated beverages such as soda, beer and carbonated water can help.
• Eliminating foods containing lactose or gluten, if intolerant, is beneficial. A dietician or healthcare provider can help.
• Avoid drinking through straws as it helps to minimise air swallowing. Also, limiting smoking and avoiding chewing gum is suggested.  
• Follow up with a healthcare provider about prescribed medications that resulted in gastric reflux episodes.
• Staying hydrated and maintaining regular bowel movements can limit gas-producing bacteria build-up.
• Regular exercise and avoiding prolonged sitting can aid in peristaltic movement and improve digestion.

Prevention is better than treatment. Prompt consultation with a health provider is recommended, whether due to persistent acid reflux, heart conditions or dietary causes. Early diagnosis can offer the best treatment options rather than delayed treatment. If you’re experiencing chest pain due to gas, it’s important to identify the exact cause and consult a doctor for appropriate guidance.