Is it normal to have slight heart pain during long-distance running?

In general, mild heart pain during long-distance running is considered normal if caused by physiological factors, but abnormal if due to pathological conditions. Patients are advised to seek symptomatic treatment as directed by a physician. Specific analysis is as follows:

1. Normal

For individuals who do not exercise regularly or who exercise in cold weather, experiencing mild heart discomfort during long-distance running is a normal phenomenon. This occurs because the heart suddenly works harder than usual, leading to temporary pain. The discomfort typically resolves with rest and does not require special treatment.

2. Abnormal

The most common medical conditions causing mild heart pain during long-distance running are coronary atherosclerotic heart disease and myocarditis, which are more frequently seen in middle-aged and elderly patients. Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease involves narrowing of the coronary arteries, resulting in myocardial ischemia. During long-distance running, when the body's oxygen demand increases, the heart's blood supply becomes insufficient to meet the body’s needs, leading to angina symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Myocarditis is more common among younger individuals. Mild heart pain during running may be caused by viral myocarditis, especially in patients who had an upper respiratory tract infection (such as cough, sore throat, sneezing, or runny nose) within the previous month. Patients should follow medical advice and may be prescribed medications such as clopidogrel hydrogen sulfate tablets or atorvastatin calcium tablets.

If a patient experiences any discomfort, it is recommended to promptly visit a hospital for evaluation to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment.