Is pain in the center of the chest related to gallstones?
May 17, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Jin Zhongkui
Introduction
Pain in the center of the chest is often associated with gallstones. Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts, typically composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium salts. When gallstones block the bile ducts, bile cannot flow out normally, causing the gallbladder and bile ducts to distend. This stimulates the phrenic nerve and leads to biliary colic, which manifests as episodic cramping pain in the chest or upper abdomen.
Pain in the center of the chest is usually associated with gallstones, but it may also be related to other causes such as excessive fatigue or pleurisy. A detailed analysis is as follows:
Gallstones are solid deposits that form in the gallbladder or bile ducts, typically composed of cholesterol, bilirubin, and calcium salts. When gallstones block the bile ducts, bile cannot drain properly, causing the gallbladder and bile ducts to dilate. This stimulates the hepatic-phrenic nerve, resulting in biliary colic—characterized by intermittent, cramping pain in the chest or upper abdomen. Therefore, central chest pain may be related to gallstones. If the chest pain is caused by gallstones, patients should seek treatment at a qualified hospital through procedures such as open surgery, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, cholecystectomy, or gallstone removal with gallbladder preservation. It should be noted that there are many possible causes of central chest pain, including excessive fatigue, cold exposure, myocarditis, coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, pleurisy, myocardial infarction, and others.
If localized discomfort occurs, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for evaluation. After completing relevant examinations, symptomatic treatment should be administered under the guidance of a qualified physician based on the underlying cause.
