A sinus infection (sinusitis) is an inflammation of the skull cavities, typically causing facial pressure, headache, and congestion. While centered in the upper respiratory tract, the infection can indirectly cause chest discomfort or pain. This pain is usually a consequence of the body’s reaction or a sign that the illness has spread to the lower airways. Recognizing the source helps distinguish between common muscular soreness and a more serious respiratory complication.
Chest Pain Caused by Coughing and Strain
The most frequent reason a sinus infection causes chest pain relates to the physical strain of persistent coughing. Sinus drainage, known as post-nasal drip, often irritates the throat and triggers a reflexive, forceful cough as the body attempts to clear the airway. This repetitive, strenuous action can lead to a musculoskeletal injury in the chest wall.
The muscles located between the ribs, called the intercostal muscles, are involved in the mechanics of breathing and coughing. When these muscles are overstretched or torn, the resulting intercostal muscle strain causes pain that is often described as sharp or aching. This discomfort is typically localized to the rib area or sternum and tends to worsen significantly with movement, deep breaths, or further coughing. This is a common, non-cardiac cause of chest pain associated with respiratory illnesses.
Related Respiratory Complications
A sinus infection can sometimes progress beyond the nasal cavities, leading to inflammation in the lower respiratory tract. Pathogens from the sinuses can travel down the back of the throat via post-nasal drip, introducing infectious agents into the lower airways. This spread can irritate the bronchial tubes, resulting in acute bronchitis, an inflammation that typically causes a deep, persistent cough, chest congestion, and a heavy feeling in the chest.
In more severe or untreated cases, the infection may descend into the lungs, causing pneumonia. Pneumonia involves inflammation of the air sacs and is associated with deeper, more serious chest pain, often accompanied by a persistent cough that produces discolored mucus. Furthermore, inflammation of the pleura (the thin membrane lining the lungs and chest wall) can also occur, a condition known as pleurisy. Pleurisy causes a sharp, localized chest pain that is dramatically worse when taking a deep breath, coughing, or sneezing.
When to Seek Emergency Care
While most chest pain related to a sinus infection is musculoskeletal, certain symptoms require immediate medical attention to rule out serious or life-threatening conditions. Any sudden, severe onset of chest pain should be evaluated immediately, particularly if it feels like crushing pressure, squeezing, or tightness under the breastbone. This type of sensation is a significant warning sign that may point toward a cardiac event.
You must seek emergency care if the chest pain is accompanied by shortness of breath or difficulty breathing that is not relieved by coughing. Other serious red flags include:
- Pain that radiates to the jaw, the left arm, or the back.
- Confusion or dizziness.
- A sudden drop in blood pressure.
- A very high fever that does not respond to medication.
These are also signs that the underlying infection or a separate medical issue has become life-threatening and requires urgent intervention.