Why Does My Chest Feel Heavy? 13 Causes And Treatment

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Medical News TodaySubscribeWhat causes a heavy feeling in the chest?

Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on April 29, 2025

Muscle strain
GERD
Pericarditis
Angina
Heart attack
Pneumonia
Collapsed lung
Pulmonary embolism
Costochondritis
Gallstones
Aortic dissection
Anxiety and panic attacks
Depression
Contacting a doctor
FAQ
Summary

Tightness or heaviness in the chest can result from various mental and physical health conditions, including stress, muscle strain, and lung complications. It can also be a sign of a heart attack.

People often associate a heavy feeling in the chest with heart problems, but this discomfort can be a sign of anxiety or depression.

A feeling of heaviness is one way that a person may describe chest pain or discomfort. Other sensations that a person with chest pain may experience include:

tightening
crushing
squeezing
aching
burning
stabbing

This article explores 13 causes of a heavy feeling in the chest and ways to treat them.

1. Muscle strain

A person is sitting down and wearing headphones. — Igor Alecsander/Getty Images

Chest pain may result from intercostal muscle strain, which can happen when a person overstretches and pulls the muscle that holds the ribs in place.

Straining the intercostal muscles may put pressure on the ribs and cause a heavy feeling in the chest.

Treatment

Pain-relieving medication, rest, and compresses can heal the strain over time.

»LEARN MORE:Pulled muscle in chest: Symptoms and treatment

2. GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a digestive disorder that can cause chest pain.

GERD occurs when stomach acid comes back up toward the esophagus. As well as chest pain, it may cause:

excessive saliva
pain when swallowing
a sore throat

Treatment

Lifestyle and dietary changes can help prevent symptoms of GERD. These can include:

maintaining a moderate weight
avoiding smoking
sleeping with the head elevated

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications may also help. These can include:

antacids
H2 blockers
proton pump inhibitors

3. Pericarditis

Pericarditis is a heart problem that may cause chest pain.

The pericardium is the name of the layers of tissue surrounding the heart. Pericarditis may occur when the pericardium becomes infected and swells. Other causes include:

autoimmune conditions
metabolic abnormalities
trauma
malignancy
medication

When swollen, the pericardium may rub against the heart, causing chest pain. The pain typically gets better when a person sits upright and leans forward, and worse when they lie down.

Treatment

A doctor may prescribe medication to reduce inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also help provide relief from symptoms. A doctor may also prescribe antibiotics if they suspect that a bacterial infection is causing pericarditis.

4. Angina

Angina can cause a feeling of pressure in the chest. It happens when the heart muscle does not get enough blood, and it is a symptom of coronary artery disease.

As well as chest pain, angina may cause pain in the:

back
neck
arms
shoulders
jaw

Treatment

Medication can often reduce symptoms of angina. Medications to manage angina can include:

beta-blockers
nitrates
calcium channel blockers

A doctor may also recommend medications to reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. These include:

antiplatelet medications
anticoagulation medications
statins

Sometimes, surgery is necessary to treat clogged arteries or other structural causes of angina.

5. Heart attack

Chest discomfort is one symptom of a heart attack. During a heart attack, a person’s chest may feel:

heavy
pressurized
squeezed
full
painful

Other heart attack symptoms include:

pain in the neck, jaw, arms, back, or stomach
shortness of breath
a cold sweat
dizziness
nausea

A heart attack is a medical emergency, so anyone who suspects that they are having one should seek immediate medical care.

Treatment

Heart attack requires emergency treatment, which may include medication and surgery.

A person’s doctor can also advise on ways to reduce the chance of another heart attack. These can include:

making changes to the amount of physical activity a person gets
managing stress
quitting smoking
consuming a healthful, balanced diet

6. Pneumonia

Pneumonia can cause chest pain that worsens when a person coughs or breathes deeply.

It is a complication of the flu and other respiratory infections. Other symptoms of pneumonia include:

shortness of breath
a cough
fever
chills

Treatment

Rest and medication can help treat the infection. A person may require hospital treatment for pneumonia if symptoms are severe.

7. Collapsed lung

A partial or completely collapsed lung may cause a person’s chest to feel heavy and painful.

Known as pneumothorax, a collapsed lung happens when air collects in the space between the lungs and the chest wall. Pneumothorax can occur on its own, as a complication of lung disease, or with trauma.

As well as chest pain, a person with a collapsed lung may experience shortness of breath.

Treatment

Treatment for a collapsed lung focuses on releasing the trapped air. In mild cases, the lung may re-inflate on its own over several weeks, though a person may need supplemental oxygen during this time.

In more severe cases, a medical professional may perform a fine needle aspiration or insert a chest tube into the chest cavity. This will allow them to release the extra air.

However, whether mild or severe, if a person experiences shortness of breath and chest pain, it is advisable to seek medical assistance.

8. Pulmonary embolism

A heavy or painful feeling in the chest may be a sign of a pulmonary embolism. This is when a blockage occurs in the pulmonary artery, or the artery in the lung.

The blockage is usually a blood clot. In rare cases, it can be made up of other substances, such as part of a tumor or an air bubble.

The blockage can cause other symptoms, such as:

lightheadedness
severe difficulty breathing
a fast heartbeat
passing out

Treatment

A pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency and can be life-threatening without treatment.

A person may receive blood-thinning drugs, oxygen, and pain relief in the hospital. Surgery may also be necessary in rare cases.

»LEARN MORE:Chest pain after pulmonary embolism: What to know

9. Costochondritis

If a person has pain where their breastbone meets their ribs, they may have costochondritis.

Also known as chest wall pain, costochondritis occurs when the cartilage between the rib and the breastbone becomes inflamed. The pain may feel worse when a person touches the area.

Treatment

Costochondritis typically improves on its own over a number of weeks or months. Pain-relieving medication such as NSAIDs can help relieve symptoms of costochondritis.

10. Gallstones

A buildup of cholesterol or bilirubin can form masses, known as gallstones, in the gallbladder.

Gallstones do not always cause symptoms, but if they block a person’s bile ducts they can cause chest pain. Doctors refer to this as a gallbladder attack.

A person usually feels gallbladder attack pain in the upper right abdomen. The pain is often sharp and sudden, but it can feel like dull, heavy cramping.

Treatment

Treatment may not be necessary if gallstones do not cause any symptoms.

However, frequent or severe gallbladder attacks may require treatment with medications or surgery. This can include a cholecystectomy, which is surgery to remove the gallbladder.

11. Aortic dissection

Sudden chest pain may result from an aortic dissection.

The aorta is the main artery that comes from the heart. An aortic dissection occurs when the wall of the aorta tears.

Treatment

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

Depending on the location of the dissection and the presence of complications, a person may require surgery for aortic dissection. They may also need to take beta-blockers or other medications to help control blood pressure.

12. Anxiety and panic attacks

Anxiety disorder is a mental health condition that causes a person to feel worried, apprehensive, and tense. It can also cause many physical symptoms.

Experiencing anxiety can lead to a heavy or tight feeling in the chest. Other physical symptoms of anxiety include:

muscle tension
sweating
shaking
a rapid heartbeat
fast breathing
dizziness
nausea
pins and needles

»LEARN MORE:What to know about chest pain and anxiety

A panic attack involves experiencing many of these symptoms at once. Panic attack symptoms feel intense and overwhelming.

If a person has not had a panic attack before, they may mistake their symptoms for those of a heart attack.

Experiencing a panic attack can make a person feel like they are in physical danger, but these attacks are not physically harmful. Symptoms usually pass after 10–20 minutes.

If a person has panic attacks often, they may have a type of anxiety disorder called panic disorder.

Treatment

When chest heaviness or tightness is a symptom of anxiety or a panic attack, it is important to get help for the underlying condition.

People can often manage depression and anxiety through a combination of medication and talk therapy.

Lifestyle changes and stress-management techniques can also help. These include:

getting enough regular physical activity
yoga
mindfulness
meditation
eating a healthful, balanced diet
getting enough quality sleep
journaling
seeking emotional support from family and friends

In some cases, a doctor might recommend medication such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs).

»LEARN MORE:How do you know if you're having a panic or anxiety attack?

13. Depression

Depression is another psychological cause of a heavy feeling in the chest. Some research suggests a link between having depression and experiencing recurrent chest pain.

A person with depression may experience physical symptoms because depression affects how people feel pain. One theory is that this is because depression affects the neurotransmitters that govern both pain and mood.

People with depression may also experience chest heaviness due to an increase in perceived stress.

Unexplained aches and pains accompanied by feeling low, hopeless, guilty, or worthless may be a sign of depression.

Treatment

Treatment for depression may include a combination of self-help, antidepressants, and talking therapy.

A doctor will typically recommend cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), which can help an individual understand how they feel and how to manage their thoughts and feelings.

When to contact a doctor

People who have anxiety or depression may recognize a heavy feeling in the chest as a symptom of their condition. In this case, it is not usually necessary to contact a doctor every time symptoms occur. However, they may wish to contact their doctor to discuss their current treatment plan.

As chest heaviness and pain have many causes, it is best to contact a doctor when new symptoms happen for the first time or if chest pain worsens.

Anyone experiencing sudden, unexplained, severe chest pain should contact emergency services.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about heaviness in the chest.

How do I get rid of heaviness in my chest?

Treatment for a heaviness in the chest will depend on the cause. If it is due to a temporary condition such as muscle strain, resting and taking pain relief medication may help. In some cases, a person may require medication or surgery to treat an underlying condition.

A person’s doctor can diagnose the cause of chest heaviness and advise on a suitable treatment plan to help relieve symptoms.

How do you know if your chest pressure is serious?

Accompanying symptoms can help determine whether chest pressure is serious. For example, a heart attack can also cause symptoms such as shortness of breath, dizziness, a cold sweat, and pain in other areas. A pulmonary embolism can also cause breathing difficulties, as well as a fast heartbeat and passing out.

However, a person should not self-diagnose the cause of chest pressure. They should contact their doctor or seek immediate medical care if they experience sudden, worsening, or unexplained chest pressure.

Summary

There are many possible causes of a heavy feeling in the chest. It can happen due to mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression. Other possible causes include GERD, pericarditis, angina, pneumonia, collapsed lung, costochondritis, and gallstones.

In some cases, chest pain or a heavy feeling in the chest can be a medical emergency. Conditions such as heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and aortic dissection require immediate treatment.

It is best to contact a doctor for advice if a person begins to experience a heavy feeling in the chest, or if a recurrent heavy feeling in the chest worsens. If it comes on suddenly, a person should seek immediate medical advice

Read the article in Spanish.

Body Aches
Heart Disease
Pulmonary System
Anxiety / Stress

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

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Angina (chest pain): Treatment. (2023).https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/angina/treatment
Costochondritis. (2022).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/costochondritis/
Dababneh E, et al. (2023). Pericarditis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431080/
Farber MA, et al. (2024). Aortic dissection.https://www.msdmanuals.com/en-gb/professional/cardiovascular-disorders/diseases-of-the-aorta-and-its-branches/aortic-dissection
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Pneumonia symptoms and diagnosis. (2025).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumonia/symptoms-and-diagnosis
Pneumothorax (collapsed lungs). (n.d.).https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/pneumothorax
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Schumann JA, et al. (2024). Costochondritis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK532931/
Sprains and strains. (2024).https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/
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Treatment for GER & GERD. (2020).https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/acid-reflux-ger-gerd-adults/treatment
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Yuan H, et al. (2025). Association between chest pain and risk of depression in patients with or without coronary heart disease.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0165032725000199

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Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — Written by Lana Burgess — Updated on April 29, 2025

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1. Muscle strain

Treatment

2. GERD

Treatment

3. Pericarditis

Treatment

4. Angina

Treatment

5. Heart attack

Treatment

6. Pneumonia

Treatment

7. Collapsed lung

Treatment

8. Pulmonary embolism

Treatment

9. Costochondritis

Treatment

10. Gallstones

Treatment

11. Aortic dissection

Treatment

12. Anxiety and panic attacks

Treatment

13. Depression

Treatment

When to contact a doctor

Frequently asked questions

How do I get rid of heaviness in my chest?

How do you know if your chest pressure is serious?

Summary

How we reviewed this article:

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