Why Do I Feel Heart Pains While Running? Common Causes Explained

Beginning a running routine or being an experienced runner can bring unexpected feelings. You might feel a sharp or aching pain in your chest. While this can feel alarming, often it’s due to non-serious causes. But don’t ignore it completely. It might point to a deeper problem. You should always speak with your doctor if you experience chest pain during or after a run. If your doctor clears you to keep exercising, take the next step by enrolling in a CPR, AED & First Aid course so you know what to do if you or another runner suddenly collapses on the trail, track, or treadmill.

Non-Heart-Related Causes of Chest Pain While Running

Chest pain while running can be scary. It’s also a sign of serious issues like heart attacks or cardiac arrest. Yet, in many instances, the discomfort isn’t heart-related at all. It often starts with small problems. These can include muscle strain or digestive issues during activity.

New to Running

Many new runners may wonder why they feel heart pain while running. The answer is usually that their bodies are adjusting to new levels of effort. Extra strain on the heart, lungs, and chest muscles can cause discomfort. This discomfort may feel like heart pain. A sharp pain that shifts with your position could be a strained intercostal muscle near the ribs. It’s likely not a heart issue.

It helps to start with a warm-up and maintain a steady pace to avoid chest soreness while running. Wearing the right clothes in cold weather helps. Staying hydrated with electrolytes all year can also cut down on muscle cramps. Avoid running right after a big meal. Digestion pulls blood to your stomach, which can lead to discomfort, like heartburn.

Vocal Cord Dysfunction

Vocal cords usually open when we breathe. They close when we speak or lift something. Sometimes, when running, they can stay closed instead of opening. This makes breathing harder and can cause chest discomfort. If this happens often, try respiratory retraining therapy. It can help increase airflow and reduce strain.

Lung Problems

The heart, lungs, and rib muscles are close together. So, discomfort from the lungs or chest muscles can feel like heart pain. Sometimes, lung problems from exercise can be risky. So, if you think your lungs are the issue, see a doctor.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath while running may show exercise-induced asthma. This can happen even if you don’t have asthma otherwise. A doctor may suggest medication to use before exercise or an inhaler for symptoms during a run. If breathing becomes severely difficult, seek emergency help right away.

Other lung problems

Chest pain while running can also come from lung-related issues, not the usual causes.

• Exercise-induced bronchospasms can tighten small airways in the lungs. These spasms are often triggered by certain weather or environmental factors.
• Pleurisy happens when the lining around the lungs and chest gets inflamed. This can cause chest pain, trouble breathing, and a persistent cough.
• Recovering from COVID-19 or pneumonia can make your lungs weaker. This increases the chance of problems like pleurisy. Get your doctor’s okay before you start running again. Begin to ease back into it with gradual steps.
• A pneumothorax happens when air leaks into the space between the lungs and the chest wall. This can cause the lung to collapse in part or entirely.
• A pulmonary embolism happens when a blood clot blocks an artery in the lungs. This causes severe chest pain and trouble breathing. Rest does not help these symptoms. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate attention.

In rare cases, chest pain when running is a sign of heart disease or a cardiac event.

Sudden cardiac arrest during a run is rare, with fewer than one in 100,000 runners affected in large events. It’s important to stay informed about heart-related symptoms. We can’t predict individual risk, so being aware helps keep you safe. If you’re at a higher risk for heart problems, run with a buddy. Have a portable AED machine for extra safety. Different AED options include the LIFEPAK CR2 and Philips HeartStart FRx.

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Angina

Angina is when the coronary arteries become narrow. This cuts blood flow to the heart. It leads to chest pain, especially when running. If this pain occurs, pause to rest and see if it eases. Reducing your activity might help with the discomfort. Yet, be sure to tell your doctor for a proper check-up. If the pain continues despite resting, seek medical care immediately.

Heart Attack

If you have heart disease or risk factors such as smoking, chest pain during a run might signal a heart attack. Recognizing this possibility is key. If other warning signs show up, respond without delay.

• Worsening chest pain
• Pain in the upper body, left arm, jaw, or back
• Chest pressure
• Heavy sweating
• Distention or heartburn
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shortness of breath
• Extreme fatigue
• Palpitations
• Dizziness

If symptoms begin during intense exercise but ease with rest, it may be a warning sign of a heart attack. Don’t ignore it—seek emergency help right away if this happens while running.

Supraventricular Tachycardia

Supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) refers to a fast heart rate. This condition comes from unusual electrical signals in the heart’s upper chambers. It can make your heart race. You might feel chest pain, palpitations, or have trouble breathing.

SVT is generally not harmful. But if your resting heart rate is over 100 bpm or rises above 150 bpm when active, you should see a doctor. In mild, symptom-free cases, the Valsalva maneuver can help reset the rhythm. But if SVT is ongoing or has symptoms, you might need treatments like ablation or a pacemaker.

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is when the heart muscle thickens. This usually happens in the left ventricle. This can limit blood flow. It may lead to chest pain, palpitations, or shortness of breath when you exercise. While it doesn’t always lead to a heart attack, HCM does increase the risk of sudden cardiac arrest. Treatment often includes medication to help relax the heart muscle.

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What You Should Do If Your Heart Hurts While Running

If you’re new to running and feel mild chest discomfort, stop and rest. Hydrate and let your body recover. Having a light meal before your run helps. Warming up and stretching afterward also lowers the chance of chest pain.

If you have sharp chest pain while running, along with nausea or dizziness, it could be serious. Other warning signs are back pain, jaw pain, left arm pain, a racing heartbeat, or unusual sweating. Don’t wait call 911 right away.

If you feel chest pain while running, get it checked. It’s better to be safe than to miss something serious. Running with a partner who knows CPR is safer. It’s also good for them to know where to find AEDs. You can even carry an AED yourself for extra safety. Keeping a phone with you is also essential in case you or someone else needs urgent help.

Reading about chest pain while running is helpful, but practice is what saves lives. If you have heart risk factors or run with others who do, consider taking a CPR, AED & First Aid or Basic Life Support (BLS) course so you can recognize the signs of cardiac distress and use an AED with confidence.

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FAQs

Why does my heart hurt when I run?

Chest pain during running can have several causes. New runners often feel pain from strained chest muscles or heavy breathing. More serious conditions, like angina, arrhythmias, or heart issues, can also cause pain. If discomfort persists or worsens, it is important to seek medical advice.

What causes pain in the left chest while running?

Pain in the left chest while running can come from different sources. It might be due to musculoskeletal strain or poor breathing technique. In more serious cases, it could show heart issues like angina or even early signs of a heart attack. If the pain is sharp or you feel dizzy or nauseous, stop right away. Then, talk to a healthcare provider.

Can chest cramps when running be dangerous?

Dehydration, bad posture, or tight muscles can cause chest cramps during a run. Most cramps are harmless. See a doctor if symptoms return. Shortness of breath, palpitations, or discomfort after resting are signs to seek help. These signs may mean there is a bigger problem.

Is chest pain after running something to worry about?

Mild chest pain after running can happen if you push too hard or skip warm-ups and cool-downs. If the pain is severe, doesn’t fade with rest, or comes with jaw or arm pain, get medical help right away. It could mean a heart issue.

What should I do if I experience chest pain or heart discomfort during exercise?

If you experience chest pain or feel your heart hurting while running, stop and rest. Drink water or an electrolyte solution and check your symptoms. If the pain is severe or keeps going, call emergency services. Look out for warning signs like nausea or shortness of breath. Running with a buddy trained in CPR  who has gone through CPR, AED & First Aid courses, and carrying a phone or portable AED adds a layer of safety.

Conclusion

Chest pain or heart discomfort while running can be worrying. Yet, not every case means something serious. The cause is often minor. It could be a muscle strain, bad breathing technique, or dehydration. Still, it’s crucial to listen to your body. If the pain is sharp or lasts a long time, don’t ignore it. If you also feel dizzy or have trouble breathing, get medical help. Drink enough water, warm up, and begin your runs at a gradual pace. These steps can help you avoid discomfort. And when in doubt, it’s always safer to check things out. Your heart health is too important to take chances with.