Which condition is indicated by chest pain that worsens with deep breaths?

The condition indicated by chest pain that worsens with deep breaths is pleuritis. Pleuritis, also known as pleurisy, is an inflammation of the pleura, the double-layered membrane surrounding the lungs. This inflammation can cause sharp chest pain that is often exacerbated by breathing deeply, coughing, or sneezing, as these actions stretch the inflamed pleura and intensify the pain. Patients commonly describe the pain as sharp and localized, and it can be differentiated from other causes of chest pain by this characteristic.

In contrast, a pulmonary embolism can present with sudden onset of chest pain, but it is typically associated with other symptoms such as shortness of breath, rapid heart rate, and sometimes hemoptysis (coughing up blood). The nature of the pain may not necessarily worsen with deep breathing as it can be more pleuritic in nature. Gastroesophageal reflux tends to cause a burning sensation in the chest rather than a sharp pain that worsens with respiration, and myocardial infarction typically presents with pressure, tightness, or heaviness, not specifically worsened by deep breaths. Understanding these distinctions helps in accurately identifying the underlying cause of the chest pain based on its characteristics.