Experiencing chest pain after surgerycan be pretty concerning. It's not uncommon for people to wonder why it happens and what it might mean. Below are the possible reasons behind post-surgery chest pain, helping you understand what might be happening in your body.

Whether you've recently had surgery or are just curious, we'll break down the causes and offer some insights to put your mind at ease. Let's dive in and uncover the mysteries of chest pain after surgery.

What Causes Chest Pain After Surgery?

Chest pain following surgery can be due to various medical reasons:

1. Surgical Impact

If the surgery involves the chest area, you might experience chest pain as part of the healing process. Surgery can cause swelling and irritation in the tissues around the chest, and this inflammation can lead to discomfort.

During surgery, nerves in the chest area can become irritated or damaged, sending pain signals to the brain. Muscles around the chest may also get strained during the procedure, especially if the cavity is opened.

Changes in body positioning during surgery, pressure from the gas used to inflate the abdomen, and the overall stress of the surgery can also contribute to chest pain.

2. Anesthesia Effects

General anesthesia can lead to nausea and vomiting, resulting in chest discomfort. Anesthesia is a medication that makes you sleep and numbs pain during surgery.

Anesthesia can slow down your breathing, and you might not take deep breaths, making the air sacs in your lungs feel stuck and causing chest discomfort.

3. Muscular Strain

The physical strain from the procedure can cause discomfort in the chest area, especially if the surgery involves the chest or upper body. It can occur after surgery because your body may be in an unusual position during the operation, and the muscles might be overworked or stressed.

This strain on the chest muscles can lead to chest pain after surgery. It's like when you exercise too much, and your muscles feel sore the next day. In this case, your chest muscles feel upset because they were strained during the surgery.

4. Gas Buildup

In certain surgeries like laparoscopic procedures, carbon dioxide gas inflates the operated area. This can cause gas buildup, leading to pressure and chest discomfort. This gas buildup can pressure the muscles and tissues in your chest, which can be uncomfortable and cause chest pain.

It's like having a full stomach after a big meal – you can feel discomfort from the pressure of the food inside your belly. Similarly, gas buildup in your chest can lead to chest pain because of the pressure it creates.

5. Deep Vein Thrombosis / Pulmonary Embolism

If in a deep vein there occurs a blood clot, usually in the limb or any other part of the body, it is called DVT. If this clot reaches the lungs, it can cause a pulmonary embolism, which may result in chest pain.

Deep Vein Thrombosis or DVT and Pulmonary Embolism (PE) can cause chest pain after surgery because they're related to blood clots. Let me break it down in simpler terms:

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT): This condition is similar to a blood clot that forms in the deep veins of the legs or other body parts. When you have surgery, you might not move around as much, making forming these clots easier. These clots can block blood flow in your veins.
• Pulmonary Embolism or PE: If a blood clot breaks loose from where it formed (like in your leg) and travels through your bloodstream to your lungs, it can cause a problem called Pulmonary Embolism. Think of it like a traffic jam in your lung's blood vessels.

What Are The Signs Of Chest Infection After Surgery?

A chest infection after surgery can come with various symptoms:

Fever

A high body temperature is a common indication of infection. After surgery, sometimes people can get a chest infection. One common sign of a chest infection is having a fever.

A fever increases your body temperature, making you feel hot and unwell. So, if you've had surgery and you start to feel warm, have a high temperature, and don't feel right, it could be a sign of a chest infection.

Coughing

A lingering cough that produces thick yellow or green phlegm can signal a chest infection. After surgery, sometimes your chest can get infected. When this happens, your body might try to eliminate the infection by making you cough. Coughing is like a way for your body to clear out the bad stuff in your chest, like germs and mucus.

Breathing Issues

Breathing might become more challenging, and your breath rate may increase. Sometimes, people can have trouble with their breathing. A chest infection can make breathing hard because your lungs are not working as well as they should. Your body needs oxygen to stay healthy; if your lungs are affected by the infection, you might feel like you can't get enough air.

Chest Discomfort

Chest pain can also be a sign of a chest infection. "Chest discomfort" can be a sign of a chest infection after surgery. When you have surgery, your body is vulnerable to infections because it's trying to heal. Sometimes, germs can get into your chest and cause an infection.

When you have a chest infection, your chest might feel uncomfortable or even painful. It's like having a heavy, achy feeling in your chest. You might also have trouble breathing or cough a lot.

Fatigue

Fatigue means feeling very tired and low on energy. After surgery, if you have a chest infection, you might feel more tired than usual. This tiredness can happen because your body works hard to fight the infection. You may feel highly unwell and tired.

Sputum Change

"Sputum change" is when the stuff you cough up from your lungs looks different. After surgery, if you have a chest infection, this change in the stuff you cough up can be a sign of the infection.

It's like a warning signal that something might be wrong in your chest, and paying attention to it is essential. It could signify an infection if you notice cloudy, yellow, blood-tinged, or unpleasant-smelling drainage from the surgical site.

Is It Normal To Have Chest Pains After Surgery?

Experiencing chest pain after surgery is common and can be a typical part of the healing process:

• This is especially true if the surgery involves your chest or upper body.
• Even if your surgery wasn't close to your chest, you might have muscle soreness from lying on the operating table or difficulty taking deep breaths after surgery.

It's important to note that not all chest pain after surgery is an emergency. Depending on your surgery type, chest pain may be a regular part of the healing process. However, it's crucial to take chest pain seriously, especially if you've recently had surgery.

While some discomfort is expected after surgery, any severe or persistent chest pain should be reported to a healthcare professional immediately, as it could indicate a severe complication. Remember that everyone's post-surgery pain experience is different, and what's normal for one person might signal complications for another.

When To See A Doctor?

Chest pain after surgery demands immediate attention. Look out for these signs that require urgent medical care:

• Severe chest pain or pressure
• Breathing difficulties
• Shortness of breath
• Pain worsening with activity
• Pain extending to the neck or jaw
• Arm pain, especially on the left side
• Pain radiating from the chest to the back
• Feelings of anxiety, doom, or dread
• Sweating
• Sudden onset of symptoms without an apparent cause

People with conditions like diabetes, which may reduce pain sensation, or those taking prescription pain medication may experience milder chest pain during a heart attack. Remember that some individuals may feel less chest pain during a cardiac event, although this is rare.

If you've had a post-surgery blood clot, known as a deep vein thrombosis or DVT, you're at higher risk for a pulmonary embolism (PE), which is a severe condition. Always treat chest pain seriously if you've been diagnosed with a DVT.

Following chest surgery, some level of chest pain is expected. However, if severe chest pain persists for over a week, it could signal a complication, and you should contact your doctor.

A physician should assess all chest pains unless there's a clear and reversible cause. If pain is unmanageable with medication or lasts longer than your surgeon predicted, contact your doctor.