Chest Pain and Jaw Pain: Are They a Sign of Heart Attack?

Chest pain radiating to the jaw: The link to heart attack

Cardiovascular diseases, particularly heart attacks, are among the top three leading causes of death worldwide. In the United States, a heart attack occurs every 40 seconds, affecting approximately 805,000 people each year (1). A sedentary lifestyle, obesity, fast food consumption, smoking, and stress stand out as the most significant risk factors that can trigger a cardiac event (2).

A heart attack occurs when there is an imbalance between oxygen demand and supply in the heart. This is due to the obstruction of the coronary arteries, thus reducing the oxygen supply. This blockage is caused by the formation of a blood clot in a previously damaged coronary artery, interrupting the supply of blood and oxygen to the heart. The loss of cardiac tissue due to oxygen deprivation highlights the importance of quick identification and prompt treatment to prevent serious or even fatal consequences. 

Jaw pain, especially when accompanied by chest pain, may indicate a heart attack. The most common symptoms include:

Chest pain

Chest pain is usually intense and oppressive, like an elephant’s footstep. Sometimes, these sensations can occur suddenly and intensely. This occurs when the obstruction occurs suddenly. If the obstruction progresses slowly over time, the symptoms appear gradually. In these cases, people may mistake the sensations for heartburn or indigestion.

If the pain occurs when you exercise and calm down at rest, one of the causes may be angina pectoris. You should consult a doctor to prevent it from progressing to a heart attack.

Shortness of breath 

Having a heart attack may make you feel short of breath before or during the event. This is due to multiple factors; one is because the heart needs more oxygen and sends signals of lack of air to the brain.

Radiating pain

The heart has multiple nerve connections; thus, pain can present itself and spread to other areas. The most common are the left arm, neck, and jaw. But it can also present as pain in the pit of the stomach and back.

Cold sweats

Cold sweating is a manifestation of the body’s autonomic nervous system response. During a heart attack, the sympathetic nervous system is intensely activated, so the patient may feel that they make their bed or clothes wet.

Stomach symptoms 

Some people experience gastrointestinal symptoms when they have a heart attack. People may have:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Indigestion
• Stomach pain, or burning

These stomach symptoms can cause people to mistake a heart attack for heartburn.

Loss of consciousness

When the infarction involves important areas of the heart, a loss of consciousness may occur due to a lack of blood supply to the brain. This is a medical emergency as it denotes a major area of injury to the heart.

Are neck and jaw pain signs of a heart attack? 

Among classic presentations of a heart attack, radiating pain to the neck and jaw is common due to the heart’s nerve connections to the rest of the body. If you experience these symptoms, calling 911 immediately for urgent assistance is imperative. In the emergency room, the doctor will use an electrocardiogram and cardiac enzyme analysis to identify the cause of the pain and begin early treatment.

Who often experiences atypical presentations of a heart attack?

Atypical presentation of a heart attack refers to the manifestation of symptoms that are not typical or do not fit the classic picture of chest pain. This type of presentation can occur in various people but is more common in certain groups, such as women and the elderly (3).

Women 

Women sometimes experience different heart attack symptoms than men (4). Instead of sudden sharp chest pain, women may have more subtle symptoms, such as jaw, back, neck, or arm discomfort, extreme fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath. These atypical symptoms may cause them not immediately to recognize that they are experiencing a heart attack.

Older people 

In older people, the presentation of a heart attack may be less symptomatic than in typical cases (5). Chest pain may be less pronounced, and symptoms such as fatigue or weakness may be mistaken for age-related problems.

People with diabetes 

In patients with diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease is the main cause of mortality (6). People with diabetes often have neuropathy, which can affect pain perception. This can lead to not feeling typical chest pain during a heart attack.

People with chronic diseases 

Those with chronic diseases, such as kidney failure, may have atypical symptoms due to the complexity of their health conditions.

People with a history of heart disease

Those who have already experienced heart problems or had previous heart surgeries may have atypical presentations compared to their medical history.

It is essential to note that regardless of presentation, any suspicion of a heart attack should be taken seriously. If you experience any alarming symptoms, you should seek medical attention immediately. Recognizing and acting quickly to atypical symptoms can be crucial for effective treatment and improved recovery.

What are the complications of a heart attack if I seek medical attention late?

A heart attack, if not treated promptly or if you receive medical attention late, can lead to several complications that can have serious health consequences, including: 

Heart failure

One of the most frequent complications is heart failure, which occurs when the heart cannot pump enough blood to meet the body’s needs (6). The damaged heart muscle can become less efficient, decreasing heart function. This can result in shortness of breath, leg swelling, and persistent fatigue. Heart failure may require long-term medical treatment and, in some cases, the need for devices such as pacemakers or defibrillators.

Arrhythmias

Another significant complication is the development of cardiac arrhythmias, which are disturbances in heart rhythm. Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia and a frequent complication of acute myocardial infarction. AF occurs in 5% to 10% of patients who have received fibrinolysis (7). Scar tissue that forms after a heart attack can interfere with the heart’s normal electrical conduction, increasing the risk of irregular heart rhythms. Some arrhythmias can be life-threatening and increase the risk of stroke.

Blood clots 

The formation of a blood clot in the affected area of the heart or the heart chambers is also a worrisome complication. This clot can break off and travel to other parts of the body, causing blockages in major arteries, which could result in a stroke or other serious complications.

Ventricular aneurysm

Weakness of the heart muscle after a heart attack can lead to dilation of the heart, known as a ventricular aneurysm, where a portion of the heart wall weakens and becomes wider. This increases the risk of rupture, which could have life-threatening consequences:

• Remote organ injury
• The kidneys are organs frequently affected by an advanced heart attack. It’s  because the heart cannot send the blood necessary for the normal functioning of the organs, such as kidneys or lungs.

Understanding the potential complications of a heart attack makes us aware of the importance of not postponing when experiencing the first symptoms. In the presence of any warning signs or doubts, it is imperative to seek help immediately, either by going to the emergency room or calling 911. The severity of this condition requires an immediate response to maximize the chances of effective treatment and reduce the risk of serious complications.

When chest and jaw pain are not heart-related?

Chest and jaw pain can be caused by various factors unrelated to the heart. Some non-heart-related causes of chest and jaw pain include:

• Muscle strain or injury: Tight muscles in the chest or jaw, often due to physical activity or injury, can cause pain.
• Gastrointestinal problems: Conditions such as acid reflux, heartburn, or indigestion can cause chest discomfort that could be mistaken for heart pain. Pain may also radiate to the jaw.
• Anxiety or stress: Emotional stress or anxiety can manifest itself physically, causing tightness in the chest and pain in the jaw.
• Dental problems: Problems such as toothache, gum disease, or temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders can cause jaw pain.
• Bruxism: Bruxism is a medical condition in which a person clenches or grinds his or her teeth involuntarily, usually at night while sleeping. This habit can generate symptoms such as jaw pain, headaches, tooth wear, and, in more severe cases, damage to the teeth and jaw.
• Respiratory conditions: Lung problems such as pneumonia cause chest pain, and discomfort can occasionally be felt in the jaw. This is usually accompanied by fever and other respiratory symptoms, such as cough with mucous sputum.
• Cervical spine problems: Problems with the cervical spine, such as herniated discs or cervical radiculopathy, can cause pain that radiates to the chest or jaw. In addition, you may feel a tingling sensation in your arms.

It is important to emphasize that any unexplained or severe chest and jaw pain should be evaluated by a healthcare professional immediately to rule out serious conditions.