What is the difference in chest pain caused by scalene trigger points versus pain caused by pericarditis? could one be confused for the other?

AHeart,PainInTheNeck: Big Dif! Trigger points are part of a biomechanical problem in the muscles;tight areas starved for attention,relieved often by gentle(then hard) pressure;the source often being a postural imbalance and/or tension in the neck.The pain of pericarditis is deep in the chest,often sharp and intermittent,maybe better sitting forward.I hope you don't have both.But if it's pericarditis get thee to a doc!

Many differences: it constant unless treated.pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, and weakness of the arms and hands - due to compression of blood vessels. t/t is surgical. Pericarditis pain is related to deep breath, more on supine position is sharp in character and may last for a week or less. t/t is NSAIDS

Could be similar: Pericarditis causes sharp chest pain relieved by sitting up, leaning forward; it often radiates to the left lateral neck muscle (trapezius). Like the low-back muscles which can experience spasm associated with pain radiating down the leg, the cervical spine (neck) muscles attach to the 1st 2 ribs and can cause pain in the head, arm, back and chest, relieved by physiotherapy or acupuncture.