Chest Pain Due To Gas: Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Experiencing chest pain can be disconcerting, as it is most often associated with problems with the heart. Although not all chest pain is cardiac in nature, many people overlook a frequent source of chest pain - excess gas in the digestive system. A gas-related chest pain may mimic the symptoms of a heart attack and lead to discomfort and anxiety. Knowing how to differentiate and address it can alleviate excessive panic about heart conditions and enhance digestive health.

Overview of Intestinal Gas

Intestinal gas is a byproduct of the digestion process that is normal and to be expected. Gas is produced when bacteria in the intestines digest food that is not digested, or when swallowing air while eating or drinking. In general, this gas will pass through the intestines and can leave the body as either a burp or passing gas. In certain cases, gas cannot leave the digestive system and can build up to excess, resulting in pressure and bloating, along with often strained discomfort in the chest wall, which presents as pain that may very closely resemble the pain of a heart attack.

Symptoms of Chest Pain from Gas

Gas-related chest pain can come and go and vary in intensity and location. Common signs and sensations of gas-related chest pain may include:

• Sharp, stabbing, or cramping pain in the chest or abdomen
• Bloating and feeling full in the upper abdomen
• Burping or belching that briefly relieves discomfort
• A feeling of pressure below the ribs or around the breastbone (sternum)
• Pain that shifts or changes position when the person changes body position 
• Temporary relief may be obtained after passing gas or having a bowel movement

Gas pain, as opposed to heart pain, is transient pain that often worsens after eating certain foods.

Causes of Gas-Related Chest Pain

Gas-related chest pain usually occurs when there is extra gas in the stomach or intestines, which creates excessive pressure that the body often feels upward from there. It can occur because: 

• You swallowed air (aerophagia):  you can swallow air by eating or drinking too quick, chewing gum, or even talking while chewing.  
• Dyspepsia: Eating too much food, eating spicy or fatty foods, and eating food too late can cause an acute buildup of gas. 
• Carbonated beverages: All sodas and some sparkling waters have carbonated gas (carbon dioxide) that can be released in your digestive tract. 
• Food intolerance: Lactose intolerance, gluten sensitivity, or digestive difficulties can all lead to excess gas. 
• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS): A common gastrointestinal disorder that can lead to bloating and gas pain. 
• Constipation:  Your colon will continue to build up stool, and while that is occurring, gas and stool can become trapped in your colon, leading to increased pressure and, therefore, pain in your chest.

Diagnosis

Since chest pain can be due to many different reasons, accurate diagnosis is important. A doctor may have the following tools at their disposal.

• Medical history and symptom review: To understand when and how the pain occurs (after eating, while at rest, etc.)
• Physical exam: To evaluate for abdominal distension or tenderness.
• Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): To rule out any heart-related causes of chest pain.
• Chest x-ray or imaging of the abdomen: formatting patterns of gas, and noting anything outside in the stomach or intestines, or otherwise looks abnormal. 
• Endoscopy or breath test: only if you are concerned about having any digestive disorder, such as GERD or being lactose intolerant.

Treatment Options

Management of gas-related chest pain will be identifying the underlying cause or drivers of it so that you can make specific lifestyle, dietary, or medication changes. Proper treatment can generally reduce pain and discomfort, and it can also help reduce the chance of future symptoms.  Management options include

• Over-the-Counter (OTC) Medicines:
  • Antacids (i.e. simethicone, calcium carbonate), provide gas and bloating relief. 
  • Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) or H2 blockers will also relieve pain or discomfort associated with acid reflux. 
• Diet Modifications:
  • Avoid foods that cause gas (i.e. beans, cabbage, carbonated beverages).
  • Eat smaller meals and snacks more often.
  • Decrease and limit fat and fried food consumption. 
• Lifestyle Modifications:
  • Eat slowly, and chew your food thoroughly. 
  • Avoid lying down after meals.
  • Regular exercise may help with digestion.

Gas Pain vs. Heart Pain

Both types of pain can feel more similar than you might think, so keep an eye out for the following signs:

• Location:
  • Gas pain often resides in the upper abdomen or chest and can move around.
  • Heart pain usually stays in the center of the chest, but it commonly radiates to the arm, neck, or jaw.
• Type of Pain:
  • Gas pain typically presents as sharp, stabbing, bloated, or full in nature. It can also feel like inflating a balloon-like dough texture, often felt throughout the abdomen. 
  • Heart pain usually feels more like pressure, squeezing, or heavy in nature.
• Timing:
  • Gas pain typically occurs when you are done eating, after drinking a carbonated beverage, lying down, or following sexual activities. 
  • Heart pain will typically occur in times of exertion and emotional or stressful activities - e.g. shoveling snow, exercise, emotional stress, etc.
• Relief:
  • Gas pain often reduces after burping, passing gas, or taking an antacid.
  • Heart pain usually eases with rest or a medication like nitroglycerin.
• Other Symptoms:
  • Gas pain may be accompanied by bloating, belching, or indigestion.
  • Heart pain comes with shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, or feeling sick.

If you are unsure if it is gas pain or heart pain, to be safe, please go to the emergency department right away.

Home Remedies for Chest Pain from Gas

If you occasionally experience milder chest pain due to gas, it is easy to relieve it with home remedies. Their simplicity allows for immediate relief and easy digestion.

Here are home remedies that can help:

• Warm Water: Drinking warm water may help relax the digestive tract muscles to promote the release of gas.
• Ginger or Peppermint Tea: Ginger or peppermint tea may help settle digestion and relieve bloating.
• Gentle Movement: Standing up or moving around or just stretching may help gas move through the intestines faster.
• Apply a Warm Compress: A heating pad or warm towel may help ease pain by being placed over the area.
• Avoid Gassy Foods: Gassy foods are personal. If the past shows issue after drinking carbonated drinks, beans, processed foods, or onions, it may be good to avoid them.
• Probiotics: Eating yogurt or taking a probiotic over time could change gut health.

When to call a doctor

Call a doctor immediately if chest pain is associated with: 

• Shortness of breath. 
  • Dizziness or fainting. 
• Pain that radiates to the arm, neck, jaw, or back. 
• Nausea and vomiting. 
• Sweating or feeling like there was impending doom. 

If discomfort associated with gas has become frequent or severe, you may want a referral to a gastroenterologist to rule out possible chronic digestive concerns, such as GERD, IBS, or ulcers.

Conclusion

Gas pain in the chest will generally be self-limiting and benign, but in light of the serious implications of heart pain, one should always be vigilant about chest pain, irrespective of whether it feels like indigestion. Knowing what precipitates gas pain, engaging in healthier eating, and using home remedies (such as peppermint tea) can lessen the occurrence of pain. However, if the pain continues or returns, then medical care should be pursued, especially in the presence of cardiometabolic risk factors.

FAQs

1. What measures can I take to avoid having gas pain in the chest area?

You should eat slowly, avoid carbonated beverages, manage stress, and eat fiber-rich foods that contain probiotics for healthy digestion.

2. Is it ok to take an antacid for gas pain? 

Yes. Taking an over-the-counter antacid (simethicone) is appropriate for alleviating gas pain or discomfort. If the pain persists or continues for more than two hours, you should consult a physician.

3. Can gas cause chest pain? 

Yes. Gas can accumulate in the stomach or intestines to create enough pressure that it radiates to the chest area, causing a very comfortable sensation that can feel like heart pain.