Intermittent Chest Pressure During Exercise

A little discomfort during exercise is all part of the process. As you challenge your body's systems, they adapt and grow stronger. But chest pressure during exercise can signal a serious episode of silent ischemia, a potentially deadly disruption of the oxygen flow to your heart muscle. If you experience intermittent chest pressure during exercise, a visit to your health care provider could save your life.

  1. Low Flow

    • While chest pressure or even pain can be alarming, not all chest pain is associated with the heart, explains nurse-practitioner B. Davis Campbell. Many other things can cause chest pain or pressure, including your muscles, gastrointestinal tract, vascular system and lungs. A temporary reduction of blood flow to the heart is called angina, which can be brought on by emotional stress, meals, cold air, smoking or exercise. Angina does not necessarily indicate heart disease and does not do permanent damage to the heart tissue.

    Pressure Perception

    • During exercise, your systolic blood pressure increases in proportion to exercise intensity. As blood is diverted to your working muscles, the flow of oxygenated blood to your heart can temporarily be diminished, causing acute ischemia, a sudden disruption of oxygen to your heart muscle that causes chest pain. A 2007 study published in "Psychophysiology" assessed the pain response of 907 men and women undergoing exercise stress testing. They found that as systolic blood pressure went up, the perception of pain diminished during episodes of cardiac ischemia. This may have serious implications if you experience pressure rather than pain during exercise, because you may be less inclined to interpret pressure as a potential heart attack.

    When Not To Worry

    • While chest pressure and pain should not be ignored, a little self-diagnosis can ease your worries. According to Campbell, if a change in body position or breathing rate diminishes or intensifies your discomfort, it is not likely caused by a heart attack. Chest pain originating from your heart is felt deep within the chest cavity, and is often described as a dull ache, heaviness or pressure. Symptoms will not be alleviated with medications or antacids. If you suspect your symptoms may be serious, seek medical attention.

    Lifestyle Logistics

    • Excessive alcohol consumption, smoking, drug use, poor diet, physical inactivity and stress can all contribute to heart disease signaled by intermittent chest pressure. Making positive changes to your lifestyle behaviors can diminish your risk of heart disease and eliminate your symptoms. If you always experience intermittent chest pressure while exercising, ask your health care provider to conduct an exercise stress test. Identifying the underlying cause of your symptoms early on can help you take proactive measures to prevent cardiac arrest and premature death.