There may be links between jaw pain and heart attack. Jaw pain can occur as pain during a heart attack radiates or spreads from the chest to other areas of the body.
An individual could also experience radiating pain in their spine, arms, back, neck, or stomach.
Other typical signs of a heart attack include uncomfortable squeezing, pressure, or pain in the chest, nausea, cold sweats, and lightheadedness.
However, jaw pain can signify various other health conditions, such as arthritis, a physical trauma, dental issues, and problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
This article explores the link between jaw pain and heart attacks. It also looks at other potential causes of jaw pain and when to seek emergency medical care.
A note about sex and gender
Sex and gender exist on spectrums. This article will use the terms “male,” “female,” or both to refer to sex assigned at birth. Click here to learn more.
Yes, a heart attack
Doctors need to consider an individual’s symptoms when determining whether their jaw pain is due to a heart attack or something else.
One of the
Radiated pain can cause other symptoms of a heart attack. When pain radiates, it affects the nerves and spreads from the original pain points to other areas of the body. For example, during a heart attack, an individual may experience radiating pain in their jaw, back, one or both arms, neck, and stomach.
A person having a heart attack may feel short of breath. Therefore, if they are experiencing jaw pain in combination with shortness of breath, it is reasonable to suspect a heart attack.
Additional signs of a heart attack include:
- nausea
- breaking out in a cold sweat
- lightheadedness
Symptoms tend to begin slowly, with only mild discomfort or pain. However, the presence of these symptoms along with jaw pain requires an emergency medical evaluation.
The warning signs of a heart attack
For instance, females are more likely to experience other atypical heart attack symptoms, including:
- jaw pain
- shortness of breath
- nausea or vomiting
Jaw pain can occur due to a variety of conditions that are unrelated to a heart attack. They may include physical injuries, arthritis, and dental problems.
TMJ disorders
The TMJ is situated at the side of the face and connects the jaw to the side of the head, allowing a person to talk, yawn, and chew.
Individuals with TMJ disorders may experience the following symptoms:
- stiffness in the jaw muscles
- painful popping or clicking in the jaw
- pain in the jaw, face, or neck
- locking or limited movement of the jaw
Learn more about TMJ disorders here.
Neuralgia
Neuralgia is a type of nerve problem that causes sharp, shooting pain. The condition can occur if nerves have become damaged or irritated.
Health experts call neuralgia that affects the jaw trigeminal neuralgia. This involves irritation of the trigeminal nerve.
People with trigeminal neuralgia typically experience an intense, electric shock-like pain on one side of the face. While initially it may be mild, it can progress if left untreated.
Learn more about neuralgia here.
Bruxism
Bruxism is a condition where a person grinds and clenches their teeth. It is most common when an individual is awake, although it can also happen while they are sleeping.
Typical signs of bruxism include:
- soreness of the jaw
- headaches
- tooth damage
The pain develops because the muscles tighten when a person clenches and grinds their teeth.
Learn more about bruxism here.
Coronary artery disease
The
According to the CDC, CAD is the most commonly occurring type of heart disease in the United States. Yet, an individual may be unaware that they have the condition until they have a heart attack.
However, CAD has
Typically, CAD symptoms are not apparent before a heart attack. Therefore, individuals should be aware of the risk factors for CAD and consult a doctor about whether they are at risk.
Main risk factors include:
- having cholesterol levels outside of the healthy range
- having high blood pressure
- not being physically active
- having overweight
- smoking
- not following a balanced diet
- having a family history of heart disease
- being an older adult
Temporal arteritis
Temporal arteritis, which health experts now refer to as giant cell arteritis, is a condition where the blood vessels in the temporal region of the head
In addition to jaw pain, temporal arteritis may lead to one-sided vision loss, which may or may not be reversible.
Other symptoms include:
- fatigue
- fever
- unexplained weight loss
- headache
- muscle pain or stiffness in the neck, hips, or shoulders
- dry cough
If an individual experiences any symptoms of a heart attack, they should
Even if a person is unsure whether their symptoms are due to a heart attack or not, they should contact emergency services right away, as every minute matters when it comes to heart attacks.
A medical team can begin treating an individual as soon as they arrive on the scene, which is much more rapid than if the individual goes to the hospital on their own.
People should not hesitate to seek medical attention if they experience any symptoms that could indicate a heart attack.
Jaw pain is one of several symptoms of a heart attack, with the most common being chest pain or discomfort.
When a doctor assesses a person’s jaw pain, they use the person’s other symptoms to determine whether the jaw pain is due to a heart attack or another condition.
Other causes of jaw pain include TMJ disorders, neuralgia, bruxism, CAD, and temporal arteritis.
Every minute matters when it comes to heart attacks, and therefore a person should seek emergency medical attention if they or someone else experiences jaw pain or other heart attack symptoms.