Gas pain in the chest can result from food intolerances, indigestion, or other health conditions. But chest pain with other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, may indicate a more serious condition.

Gas pain is most often felt in the abdomen, but it can also occur in the chest. Though gas is uncomfortable, it typically isn’t a huge cause for concern on its own when experienced on occasion.

Gas pain in the chest, however, is slightly less common. And it could indicate other serious conditions, so it’s important to pay attention to it.

Seek immediate medical attention if you’re experiencing any new chest pains, chest pains that are changing, or have chest pain with associated symptoms, such as:

This article explores possible causes of gas pain in the chest, potential remedies, and when to seek medical help.

Gas pain in the chest can feel like jabbing pains or a general tightness in the chest area or under the ribs. Other symptoms may include:

  • belching
  • indigestion
  • voluntary or involuntary passing of excess gas, which may relieve pain
  • loss of appetite
  • bloating
  • pain that shifts to different parts of the abdomen

Seek immediate medical help if this is the first time you’re experiencing chest pain

It’s important to note that everyone’s symptoms vary, and any cause of chest pain you’re experiencing should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional. They can determine if the pain in your chest is related to gas or to your heart.

At times, it can be hard to tell the difference between pain caused by your heart and pain coming from your chest area.

Gas pain in your chest is typically accompanied by other symptoms, such as:

  • abdominal pain
  • flatulence
  • heartburn
  • acid reflux

If these symptoms accompany your pain, it’s most likely related to gas in your chest. However, until you receive additional testing, the pain in your chest could still be related to your heart or other serious causes.

It’s important to ALWAYS seek immediate medical attention for any new or evolving chest pains.

Heart pain may often feel like gathering pressure in the center or left side of your chest. It may build and intensify before slowly dissipating, or it may continue to grow in severity.

You may also recognize heart pain because it comes on suddenly and doesn’t seem related to other symptoms, things you have eaten recently, or the way you are otherwise feeling that day.

Identifying the signs of a heart attack

If you experience any of the following symptoms along with chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room, as it may indicate a heart attack:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest discomfort that may feel like pressure or pain, which may come and go
  • discomfort in other areas of the upper body, including the arms, back, neck, stomach, or jaw
  • breaking out in a cold sweat
  • nausea
  • lightheadedness

Heart attacks manifest differently in men and women. Women are more likely to experience shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and back or jaw pain than men. They’re also less likely to experience arm pain.

Gas pain is often felt in the lower chest and may be caused by something as simple as a poor reaction to certain foods or substances. Carbonated beverages and sugar-containing alcohols, for example, can cause an excess of gas in some people.

If you have a sensitivity or allergy to certain foods, they can also cause gas pain.

Food sensitivity and intolerances

Sometimes, food intolerances are to blame for gas pain in the chest. Eating dairy if you have lactose intolerance can cause a buildup of excess gas, causing chest pain.

Similarly, if you have celiac disease or another gluten-related disorder, eating food that contains even a trace amount of wheat can cause similar symptoms.

Gluten contamination can also cause inflammation in the intestines, which can take up to 6 months to heal fully, negatively affecting digestion long-term.

Food poisoning

Food poisoning can cause sudden gas pain in the chest if you’ve never experienced it before. It’s caused by eating food containing harmful bacteria, viruses, or parasites.

Other symptoms of food poisoning, which can last anywhere from a few hours to a few days, include:

  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • fever
  • abdominal pain
  • watery or bloody diarrhea

Inflammatory conditions

Inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, which can cause severe inflammation in the intestines and affect digestion, may also cause gas pain in the chest. Other symptoms include recurring bouts of:

Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common, noninflammatory condition that causes gastrointestinal symptoms. These symptoms tend to be triggered by stress and can worsen after meals. IBS can cause gas pain that may occur in the chest, as well as:

  • abdominal pain
  • cramps
  • constipation
  • diarrhea

Gallbladder diseases

Gallbladder diseases and gallstones can cause gas pain in the chest, especially if some condition is causing your gallbladder not to empty completely.

Gallbladder diseases can often cause excess gas and chest pain. Other symptoms may include:

  • vomiting
  • nausea
  • chills
  • pale or clay-colored stools

Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is an inflammatory disorder of the pancreas that can cause upper abdominal pain. The pain can come and go quickly, called “acute pancreatitis,” or it can be chronic.

Symptoms of acute pancreatitis usually include:

  • mild or severe pain that begins slowly or suddenly in your upper abdomen and may spread to your back
  • fever
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • swollen or tender abdomen
  • fast heart rate

It can be difficult for doctors to diagnose gas pain in the chest based on a preliminary physical examination alone, so they’ll likely order follow-up tests to be sure of what it is. This may include an electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) to make sure that your heart isn’t the cause of the discomfort.

Other tests they may order include:

  • blood tests to search for infections and markers of celiac disease or Crohn’s disease
  • endoscopy, where a lighted camera is attached to the end of a probe and lowered down the mouth and throat into the stomach to evaluate esophageal health
  • stool test to search for parasites and symptoms of bleeding that may be associated with Crohn’s or IBS
  • lactose intolerance tests, the most common of which will require you to drink a lactose-filled drink before getting a blood test 2 hours later
  • abdominal ultrasound to evaluate organs like the stomach and gallbladder
  • blood tests to evaluate for a heart attack or pancreatitis
  • chest X-ray or chest CT to evaluate underlying lung or vascular processes
  • abdominal CT to evaluate liver/GB/pancreas

If you’re experiencing chest gas pains, the first thing you should do is drink plenty of noncarbonated fluids. This can improve digestion and resolve constipation, allowing the gas to move through the system.

Water is always a good choice, and hot decaf teas like ginger or peppermint tea can have antiflatulent effects.

Consume ginger

You don’t just have to limit yourself to ginger tea — all forms of ginger may act as a digestive enhancer, according to a 2020 review of several trials. That means consuming ginger may help with gas that is related to indigestion.

Whether you’re using fresh ginger, powdered ginger, or ginger tea, keep some on hand to use for future gas or digestive problems.

Get some exercise

If possible, getting some exercise — even in small amounts — can help improve digestion and move the gas through your body. Walking around or even lying on your back and scissor-kicking your legs can improve circulation and give your digestive system a boost.

Avoid carbonated and caffeinated drinks

Avoid carbonated or caffeinated beverages, which can actively cause gas. If you have lactose intolerance, avoid dairy.

Over-the-counter medications like Gas-X can offer fast relief from gas pain. And antacids can help reduce the heartburn associated with it.

If your gas pain is caused by conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), IBS, or Crohn’s, a doctor may prescribe medications to treat the underlying condition. This may include acid-reducing medications like Pepcid and anti-inflammatory medications like 5-ASA drugs.

Gas pain caused by food poisoning can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as loperamide (Imodium) or bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol) to soothe diarrhea.

If you’ve been exposed to a parasite, a doctor may also prescribe anti-vomiting medications like chlorpromazine (Thorazine) or antiparasitic medications such as metronidazole (Flagyl).

Gallstones are typically left alone if they’re not causing pain. Sometimes you can pass gallstones without even noticing. If you’re in pain, your doctor may recommend surgery.

While gas pain typically resolves on its own, there are some gas-causing conditions, such as severe food poisoning and pancreatitis, that can cause other, more serious complications.

Mild cases of food poisoning may pass within 24 hours, but severe cases of food poisoning can be life threatening. Some types of food poisoning can also cause arthritis, rash, and joint pain that can take months to resolve.

Severe cases of food poisoning are a medical emergency

If you experience any of the following, seek emergency medical attention:

  • struggling to keep liquids down
  • bloody stools or vomit
  • diarrhea for more than 3 days
  • signs of dehydration
  • a high fever
  • any neurological symptoms like blurred vision or tingling

Gallstones can cause inflammation of the gallbladder and blockages of the bile duct or pancreatic ducts. Pancreatitis typically requires hospitalization. Both can impair digestion.

Gallbladder complications are a medical emergency

You should get emergency medical attention if you experience symptoms of gallbladder complications like:

  • yellowing of the skin or eyes
  • high fever
  • chills
  • severe abdominal pain

As long as a doctor has ruled out serious illness, gas pain in the chest should resolve with home remedies, dietary changes, and possibly medications.

However, any new or worsening chest pains should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately, as they could be a sign of a serious illness.