What causes sternum pain?

Chest pain may be caused by factors such as poor posture, gastroesophageal reflux, osteoarthritis, angina pectoris, or coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Poor posture: Maintaining improper posture for prolonged periods—such as frequently looking down at a mobile phone or computer—may lead to excessive stretching or fatigue of the muscles and ligaments around the sternum, resulting in pain. It is advisable to maintain correct sitting posture, perform regular stretching exercises, and avoid staying in the same position for extended periods.

2. Gastroesophageal reflux: This may be related to factors such as alcohol consumption or reduced esophageal clearance of refluxed material. After onset, patients may experience pain behind the sternum due to gastric acid reflux into the esophagus, often accompanied by acid regurgitation. Patients are advised to take medications such as enteric-coated esomeprazole magnesium tablets, enteric-coated rabeprazole sodium tablets, or lansoprazole tablets as prescribed by their doctor.

3. Osteoarthritis: This may result from chest trauma causing damage to the articular surface of the sternoclavicular joint or cartilage injury. As the condition develops, traumatic sternoclavicular joint pain may occur, manifesting as sternal pain that worsens noticeably during breathing and may ease with rest. Patients are advised to take medications such as glucosamine sulfate tablets, glucosamine hydrochloride tablets, or Gukang capsules as directed by their physician.

4. Angina pectoris: Associated with narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, this condition may cause insufficient blood supply to the heart, leading to a sensation of pressure or suffocation behind the sternum. Symptoms often include palpitations and sternal pain. Patients should use medications such as amlodipine and atorvastatin calcium tablets, metoprolol tartrate tablets, or bisoprolol fumarate tablets under medical supervision to improve symptoms.

5. Coronary atherosclerotic heart disease: This may be associated with risk factors such as diabetes or smoking. After onset, myocardial ischemia may cause radiating pain in the anterior chest, which sometimes extends to the right side. Patients are advised to strictly follow medical instructions and use medications such as atorvastatin calcium tablets, isosorbide nitrate tablets, or amlodipine and atorvastatin calcium tablets to relieve symptoms.

In daily life, patients should avoid emotional excitement, maintain a positive and optimistic mindset, and reduce intake of high-salt foods such as pickled vegetables and cured meats, all of which can benefit recovery.