If a person is having jaw pain, they should seek immediate medical assistance since it could indicate a heart attack. Jaw pain can occur due to pain radiating or spreading from the chest to other parts of the body. Radiating pain in the spine, limbs, back, neck, or stomach is possible.
Other heart attack symptoms include squeezing, pressure, or discomfort in the chest, nausea, cold sweats, and lightheadedness.
On the other hand, Jaw pain can indicate a variety of other health disorders, including arthritis, physical trauma, dental troubles, and temporomandibular joint problems (TMJ).
This article investigates the relationship between jaw pain and heart attacks. It also discusses other possible causes of heart attack and jaw pain and when to seek immediate medical attention.
Cardiac Arrest vs. Heart Attack
In some cases, cardiac arrest and heart attack are used interchangeably. A heart attack, also known as a myocardial infarction, is a type of heart attack that causes damage to the heart muscle as a result of decreased blood flow to the heart muscle, depriving the heart muscle of the oxygen it requires to operate properly.
Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart ceases to beat, and death is imminent. A heart attack, if severe, might result in cardiac arrest, which is what happens when a heart attack is fatal. Other factors, such as severe arrhythmias or shock, can, nevertheless, induce cardiac arrest.
Heart Attack Warning Signs And Symptoms
Chest Pain
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack, but it can manifest itself in various ways. In some circumstances, chest pain does not appear at all. A heart attack’s typical chest pain has been described as a sense of pressure, squeezing, fullness, or discomfort that begins in the center of the chest.
The pain or discomfort usually lasts longer than a few minutes, or it may disappear and then return. It has the potential to spread down the arms, to the back, or to the head and neck.
Both men and women report chest pain as a prominent symptom of a heart attack, although women are more likely to experience other symptoms such as nausea, jaw discomfort, or shortness of breath.
Jaw Pain and Headache
A heart attack might cause discomfort to travel down both arms, the jaw or head, or the back. Some people experience tooth pain or headaches to indicate a heart attack. It is possible to have various discomfort without experiencing chest pain during a heart attack.
Breathing Difficulty
Shortness of breath or the sensation of gasping for air is a common symptom of a heart attack. Dyspnea is a medical term for troubled breathing. Shortness of breath can occur before or during a heart attack’s chest pain, and it can be linked with other heart attack symptoms even if there is no chest pain.
Nausea
A less common but possible sign of a heart attack is nausea or feeling sick to your stomach. Sometimes sickness is accompanied by belching or burping, and some patients have described a feeling similar to indigestion linked with a heart attack.
Women are more likely to report these unusual heart attack symptoms, and some patients have claimed to feel ill with the flu.
Discomfort in the Upper Middle Abdomen (epigastric)
The pain of a heart attack is sometimes described as a stomach ache or discomfort in the center of the upper abdomen. The sensation is typically described as a heaviness rather than a sharp, stabbing pain, and it lasts for more than a few minutes. This can happen with or without pain in the chest.
Indigestion and Heartburn
As previously stated, some persons undergoing a heart attack may experience belching and burping, and indigestion. Similarly, the pain and pressure might be felt in the epigastric or upper-middle abdomen area, comparable to heartburn sensation.
Other Causes of Jaw Pain
The majority of causes of jaw pain are not as severe as a heart attack. Some of the following reasons are related to issues with the jaw joint:
A cavity in a tooth, an infected tooth (tooth abscess), gum disease (gingivitis and periodontal disease), or tooth grinding are all examples of dental problems (bruxism)
- Fibromyalgia is a chronic pain illness that produces widespread muscle discomfort and sore spots in the jaw and other body places.
- Temporomandibular disorders (TMJ or TMJD) cause jaw pain and restrict jaw movement.
- Jaw muscle strain or stress can occur due to overextending your jaw during a dental procedure or while yawning.
- A myofascial pain syndrome is a persistent form of muscle discomfort in the jaw and other body areas caused by sensitive sites (trigger points) in the muscles.
- Giant cell arteritis (temporal arteritis) is a dangerous autoimmune inflammatory disorder that can lead to blindness and other significant problems if left untreated.
When to See a Doctor?
Doctors agree that if you’re unsure, get checked out. Even if you’re not sure something is seriously wrong, you should contact your doctor if you encounter heart attack symptoms. To restore circulation to your heart and improve your chances of survival, drugs should be given as soon as possible.
Book an appointment now, to answer all your queries. You can book an appointment with the top Cardiologists in Karachi through Marham.
(FAQs)
1- What heart problems cause jaw pain?
Jaw and neck aches are common angina symptoms caused by inadequate blood supply to the portion of the heart muscle. Angina is often felt as chest pain, pressure, or heaviness, although it can take numerous forms.
2- When is jaw pain cause for concern?
Seek medical help if you have persistent jaw discomfort or tenderness or if you can’t fully open or close your jaw. Your doctor, dentist, or TMJ expert can explain the causes and remedies.
3- Does angina cause jaw pain?
In angina, there is a lack of oxygen-rich blood in the heart muscle, which manifests as chest pressure. Shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, abdomen, and back can be affected.
