Chest Pain From Cycling Class

Chest pain during cycling class can develop from any tissue or organ in your chest, including your lungs, heart, muscles, tendons, ribs, nerves and tendons 2. It can be caused by a variety of conditions -- some of which require a doctor’s attention. This makes it important to understand why chest pain can develop during bicycling and how it can be remedied 2.

Symptoms

Chest pain can vary in severity from a mild annoyance to a debilitating ache 2. It can be accompanied by a burning sensation beneath your sternum, nausea, vomiting, belching, swallowing difficulty or chest tenderness. Pain can get worse when you change positions, breathe deeply or cough during cycling class. In severe cases, you can notice tightness in the chest, pain that radiates down your jaw or shoulders, sweating or shortness of breath 2.

Causes

Chest pain and discomfort in the lungs can be the result of breathing too hard during your cycling class 2. Cycling can also trigger heartburn or acid reflux symptoms because of the increase in respiratory rate and pressure put on your abdomen when maintaining proper bicycle posture. You can also experience chest muscle pain and soreness if you attend cycling class while suffering from conditions such as pinched nerves, fibromyalgia or a bruised rib 2.

Treatments

Stop exercising or reduce exercise intensity if you experience chest pain or lung discomfort during your cycling class 2. If heartburn is the cause, take a medication to neutralize or stop production of stomach acid, such as antacids or H2-receptor blockers. A doctor will need to treat or prescribe medications to remedy chest pain associated with medical conditions such as fibromyalgia or pinched nerves 2.

Warnings

Chest pain can sometimes be a symptom of a serious medical condition such as a heart attack, angina, coronary spasm or aortic dissection 2. Seek immediate medical attention if chest pain is severe, develops without explanation, varies in intensity, radiates down your back, shoulders or left arm or is accompanied by nausea, dizziness, sweating or shortness of breath 2. A visit to the hospital could save your life -- or at least confirm that nothing is seriously wrong.