dr prakash chandwani
Chest Pain in the Middle in Women: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry
  • By Admin
  • December 10, 2025

Chest Pain in the Middle in Women: Causes, Symptoms & When to Worry

Many times, Chest Pain in Women is not taken seriously and generally gets misunderstood and doesn’t get proper treatment and those factors make it a serious health issue.

In women, chest pain symptoms are often not showing clearly and are different from men, whether the cause is heart related or not, so consulting the Best Cardiologist in Jaipur is important for accurate diagnosis and timely proper treatment.

Chest Pain in the Middle of the Chest in women

What is chest pain in the middle of the chest?

Chest pain in the center of the chest (behind the breastbone) can feel like:

  • Pain with breathing or movement
  • Discomfort spreading to back, jaw or left arm
  • Sharp pain in center of chest
  • Squeezing or tightness
  • Burning sensation
  • Pressure or heaviness on chest

Sometimes women describe it as “Something is sitting on my chest” and these symptoms should never be ignored.

Why chest pain in women is different

Women experience chest pain differently because:

  • Smaller coronary arteries
  • Hormonal influence on vessels
  • High chances of microvascular disease
  • Stress-induced heart spasm more common
  • Signs are more subtle often missed

A recent medical survey found that women under the age of 45 have a 30-40% higher chance of misdiagnosed heart attacks.

Causes of middle chest pain in women

Here are the top medically validated causes:

  1. Heart Related Causes (Dangerous)

    1. Heart attack (Myocardial infarction)

      1. Most female symptoms include:
      2. Center pressure or tightness
      3. Pain radiating to jaw, back or left arm
      4. Shortness of breath
      5. Sudden fatigue
      6. Nausea, dizziness
      7. Sweating

Many women assume it is just acidity, but this mistake can be dangerous.

  1. Angina (Reduced Blood Flow of Heart)

    1. Triggered by:
    2. Walking fast
    3. Emotional stress
    4. Climbing stairs
    5. Pain improves with rest.

  2. Microvascular Disease (Common in Women)

Sometimes our body’s small blood vessels may not supply enough blood to the heart, and chest pain can happen even when angiography results look normal.

  1. Coronary Artery Spasm

A sudden tightening of the heart arteries can cause strong pain in the middle of the chest.

  1. Lung-Related Causes

    1.  Pulmonary embolism (life-threatening)
    2. Pneumonia
    3. Pleuritis
    4. Collapsed lung
    5. These cause sharp pain that worsens with breathing.

  2. Digestive System Causes

Many women confuse these with heart pain:

  1. Acid reflux (GERD)
  2. Esophageal spasm
  3. Gastritis
  4. Gallbladder disease
  5. Hiatal hernia

These can mimic heart attack.

  1. Musculoskeletal Causes

    1. Costochondritis
    2. Muscle strain
    3. Breastbone inflammation
    4. Pain worsens with touch or movement.

  2. Stress & Anxiety

    1. Panic attacks often cause:
    2. Central chest tightness
    3. Rapid heartbeat
    4. Feeling of impending doom

This is real pain — not “imagined.”

Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored

If you experience these along with chest pain, seek help immediately:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Sudden sweating
  • Feeling faint
  • Left-arm pain
  • Jaw/back pain
  • Nausea or unusual fatigue
  • Pain lasting more than 10 minutes

Chest Pain in the Middle of the chest Woman holding her chest

How Doctors Diagnose Chest Pain in Women

A cardiologist may recommend:

  • ECG
  • Chest X-ray
  • Blood tests (Troponin)
  • Echocardiography
  • CT scan
  • Coronary angiography
  • Stress test

Table: Heart vs Non-Heart Chest Pain in Women

FeatureHeart-Related Chest PainNon-Heart Chest Pain
Pain TypePressure/tightnessSharp/burning
TriggersPhysical activity/stressFood, movement
ReliefRest sometimes helpsAntacids/position change
RadiationJaw, arm, backRare
Danger LevelHighUsually, mild

When Chest Pain Means a Heart Attack in Women

You want immediate treatment if:

  • Chest pain lasting more than 10 minutes
  • Chest pain with sweating and nausea
  • Chest pain with sudden shortness of breath
  • Pain spreading the jaw, neck, shoulders or back
  • Extreme tiredness along with chest discomfort

Women often experience silent symptoms, so don’t delay in getting medical help.

Chest Pain in the Middle of the chest treatment by the Best Cardiologist in jaipur

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the causes:

  • Heart related

      1.  Blood thinners
      2. Angioplasty
      3. Stent placement
      4. Lifestyle modification

  • Lung related

      1.  Antibiotics
      2. Oxygen therapy
      3. Blood thinners (PE)

  • Digestive related

      1.  Antacids
      2. Acid-reducing medication

  • Muscle pain

      1. Pain relievers
      2. Physio
      3. Heat therapy

  • Anxiety related

    1. Breathing exercises
    2. Therapy
    3. Medication if needed

When to Worry (Quick Checklist)

Seek medical help if chest pain is:

  • Sudden
  • Severe
  • Recurrent
  • Associed with breathlessness
  • Not improving with antacids or rest

Prevention Tips for Women

  • Avoid smoking
  • Maintain healthy weight
  • Control BP & cholesterol
  • Vitamin D level check
  • Regular exercise
  • Manage stress
  • Regular heart check-up (yearly)

Conclusion

Chest pain in the middle of the chest in women should always be taken seriously. Since women often show unusual heart attack symptoms, getting an early check-up from a heart doctor in Jaipur can help save lives through timely diagnosis and treatment.

FAQs

Q: Why does chest pain occur?

Answer: Chest pain occurs when nerves in the chest area detect irritation, inflammation, or a lack of oxygen in vital organs or tissues. Common causes include acid reflux (GERD), muscle strain, and anxiety. More serious causes include heart conditions like angina or heart attacks and lung issues such as pneumonia or blood clots.

Q: Can chest pain be caused by anxiety?

Answer: Yes, anxiety and panic attacks can cause sharp or tightening chest pain. This happens because stress triggers the “fight or flight” response, leading to rapid breathing, increased heart rate, and muscle tension. While often harmless, anxiety-related pain can mimic a heart attack, so it is important to consult a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.

Q: What causes chest pain on the left side in females?

Answer: Left-sided chest pain in females can be caused by heart-related issues, but it is often linked to musculoskeletal strain, acid reflux, or anxiety. In women specifically, it can also relate to breast pain (mastalgia) or hormonal changes. Because women often experience subtle heart attack symptoms like fatigue or nausea, any persistent pain should be medically evaluated.

Q: What causes chest pain on the right side in females?

Answer: Right-sided chest pain in females is commonly caused by muscle strain, acid reflux, or gallbladder issues, such as gallstones. It can also stem from breast-related pain, lung infections like pneumonia, or stress. While less likely to be a heart attack than left-sided pain, persistent right-side discomfort should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out serious underlying conditions.
Book Appointment