In 2022, there were 390,700 motor vehicle accidents in Florida. These accidents caused more than 3,000 fatalities and many more injuries. Several types of injuries are possible, including those that cause chest pain. Chest pain is possibly a symptom of a serious problem.
Chest injury
A damaged muscle or bone within the chest can cause pain. Car accidents often result in rib fractures or strained chest muscles that cause chest pain. You also might feel pain when moving, breathing or coughing.
Internal injury
If any body part within the chest is injured, it can cause chest pain. Injuries to the heart, blood vessels and lungs often result in chest pain. In addition to chest pain, you might find it difficult to breathe or cough.
Heart attack
A car accident is a stressful situation. If you have heart disease or high blood pressure, the stress of the accident could affect your heart. Chest pain is a common symptom of a heart attack. Other symptoms can include shortness of breath, nausea, and jaw, neck, arm, shoulder or back pain.
Panic attack
Panic attack symptoms often mimic those of a heart attack. Both can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, heart palpitations and an elevated heartbeat. A panic attack generally subsides within 20 minutes, but a heart attack will likely worsen.
Whiplash
Whiplash is most often associated with neck pain. However, chest pain can result from the quick neck and head movement that causes whiplash.
Chest pain doesn’t always indicate a life-threatening injury, but it’s a possibility – especially following a car accident. Medical care is possibly necessary when you have chest pain after the accident.