Why Do I Feel Pin Prick in My Heart
Pin prick heart pain, pricking pain in the chest, or the feeling of pins and needles down the thorax: these are some of the descriptions offered by people who have experienced this painful sensation in the chest area, either in the past or from time to time. The causes can be many, so we should not be alarmed, but should use due caution. It is an unpleasant sensation that can provoke a fright when it appears. However, it is more common than we think. In this article we explain why you are feeling pin prick in your heart.
Steps to follow:
The first thing you should consider is that sensations in your chest do not necessarily mean you have a cardiovascular problem, although this could sometimes be the cause. In many cases, chest pain is due to muscular tension. This sensation may pass in a short time, but you should pay attention to how it develops. Related to the above, there may be tension in the chest when breathing. This can happen when we breathe in and suddenly feel a sharp prick in the chest that makes it difficult to move or breathe comfortably. First, try to stay calm and not panic. If the pain is mild and brief, rest and see whether it passes; seek medical help if it is severe, persistent, or accompanied by other concerning symptoms. This sensation is common, and many people have experienced it at some time, some more than others.
First, the sensation in your chest may be the result of anxiety or stress. If you are busier than usual on a particular day, going through a difficult situation, or prone to bouts of anxiety, these sensations may be a symptom of stress affecting your body. This feeling may occur alongside other symptoms of anxiety. These may not appear at the same time, but perhaps once you are resting. These pin pricks in the chest may be due mainly to:
- Muscle tension. As explained at the beginning of the article, the tension built up by stress and anxiety can cause the body to experience these strange and worrying feelings.
- Autonomic hyper-arousal. This can occur when the heart rate is higher than usual and breathing becomes harder, leading to odd sensations in the chest area.
In these cases, try to stay calm and stop any activity you are doing at that time. Slow, gentle breathing may help if anxiety is contributing to the sensation. However, do not assume that chest pain is caused by anxiety, especially if it is new, severe, or does not go away.
Now, we will get into diseases and cardiovascular problems that might be related to the heart and may generate strange pin prick sensations in your chest as a symptom.
First, it could be pericarditis. This is inflammation of the lining around the heart, called the pericardium. The pericardium contains a small amount of fluid that acts as a lubricant, helping its layers move smoothly around the heart. Pericarditis can range in severity and should be assessed by a medical professional, as it can sometimes be associated with other health problems. Strange sensations in the heart area are one possible symptom of pericardial inflammation. Treatment depends on the cause and may involve medication.
On the other hand, another possible cause of pin prick sensations in the heart area is myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle. It is often related to viral or bacterial infections, including infections such as hepatitis C, herpes, chlamydia, or streptococcus, among others. Treatment depends on the cause and severity and should be guided by a medical professional; it may involve medication and rest. Chest pain, shortness of breath, or an irregular heartbeat should be medically assessed.
Arrhythmias can sometimes be associated with unusual sensations in the chest. Arrhythmias are abnormal heart rhythms, which means that the heartbeat is faster or slower than usual, or irregular. When the heart beats faster than normal, it is called tachycardia. A persistently increased heart rate can raise the heart’s demand for blood and oxygen, and may lead to tiredness and fatigue. Some factors associated with tachycardia include high blood pressure, tobacco, and excessive alcohol or caffeine. Tachycardia can also be related to anxiety and stress, which may make these sensations more likely.
Finally, less frequent causes of pin prick sensations in the chest include angina pectoris or a myocardial infarction. Angina occurs when the heart does not get the amount of blood it needs. This reduced blood flow can be due to problems such as high blood pressure or atherosclerosis, leading to chest pain that may be perceived as pin pricks in the heart area. A myocardial infarction occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked, often by a clot, causing damage to the heart muscle. Chest discomfort can be a symptom of a heart attack, and it requires urgent medical attention.
However, we should not assume that every pin prick in the chest is a symptom of something serious. Be aware of other symptoms, as well as the intensity and duration of the pain, and take action when needed. If you have sudden or persistent chest pain, particularly with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or fainting, seek emergency medical help rather than waiting for it to pass. If the pain is frequent, go to the doctor. You can also ask your doctor or medical professional to perform periodic routine checks. People who have cardiovascular problems should see their doctor regularly and be monitored to support their health and reduce the risk of complications.
A common test used to check the heart’s electrical activity is an electrocardiogram. This procedure is painless and involves placing a series of electrodes on the skin to record the heart’s activity and detect certain abnormalities in its rhythm. An electrocardiogram is one part of an assessment, and a medical professional may recommend other tests depending on the symptoms.
There are some risk factors which can significantly increase the probability of having heart problems:
- Hypertension.
- Obesity.
- Smoking.
- High cholesterol.
- Physical inactivity.
- Older age.
This article is merely informative, oneHOWTO does not have the authority to prescribe any medical treatments or create a diagnosis. We invite you to visit your doctor if you have any type of condition or pain.
If you want to read similar articles to Why Do I Feel Pin Prick in My Heart, we recommend you visit our Diseases & secondary effects category.
- Chest Pain (MedlinePlus)
- Symptoms and Diagnosis of Pericarditis (American Heart Association)