NCCP or Non-cardiac chest pain are those causes of chest pain that are not caused due to heart diseases. As many as 30 percent of citizens across the country complain about chest pain that radiates to the neck, arms or jaw. These symptoms might not relate to myocardial infraction or heart attack.

Here are some causes of chest pain that do not necessarily relate with heart diseases:

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Also known as acid reflux, This is one of the common and top causes of chest pain that is non-cardiac. It is characterized by reflux, which is a type of back flow of stomach contents into the esophagus. GERD can be diagnosed using barium swallow that helps in visualizing the esophagus.

GERD can be treated with lifestyle modifications that includes weight loss, avoiding large meals and waiting for at least 2 hours after a meal before you lie down. If you frequently experience this symptom, avoiding alcohol, peppermint, caffeine, chocolates and citrus juice will help in preventing GERD.

Pulmonary embolism
It refers to the development of blood clot in one or more of the arteries of the lungs. Pulmonary embolism if not treated, can be potentially life threatening. This condition usually develops when a blood clot in one of the deep veins travels to the lungs. Thus, Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) usually leads to Pulmonary Embolism. Pulmonary angiography is the standard diagnosing procedure of PE. To prevent future blood clots, prototypical anticoagulants also called as blood thinners are administered.

Pneumothorax
This is one of the causes of chest pain that occurs due to abnormal presence of air in the pleural (chest) cavity. It usually leads collapsing of the affected lungs. Pneumothorax is caused primarily due to trauma. Smoking increases the chances of getting affected with spontaneous Pneumothorax. This is one of the condition that may lead to cardiac arrest.

To treat this condition, talc or tetracycline antibiotics are introduced in the chest cavity which causes scarring, thereby decreasing the chances of recurrent pneumothorax.

Pneumonia
It is the infection of the lungs which could be due to a viral, bacterial or fungal infection. This cause of chest pain might be classified as community or hospital acquired NCCP. It is usually diagnosed with chest x-ray. People diagnosed with CAP may or may not need to be admitted to the hospital based on its severity.

If a person is suffering from any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is highly advisable to consult a doctor to get the condition diagnosed. This will help in understanding the root cause of the condition and thus the treatment approach to get relief from the medical condition.