The main reasons for the pain behind the sternum are as follows: First, there may be heart problems, such as angina pectoris and acute myocardial infarction. There may be pain behind the sternum, or squeezing pain. Second, there may be problems in the mediastinum, such as acute mediastinal inflammation, mediastinal emphysema, and mediastinal tumors, which may stimulate peripheral nerves and cause pain behind the sternum. Third, there may be problems with the esophagus, such as esophagitis and hiatal hernia, which may lead to lesions in the esophagus and pain. Fourth, problems with the trachea, such as tracheitis, bronchitis, and foreign body stimulation at the bronchial part, may cause pain. Fifth, there may be abnormalities in the aorta, such as the formation of aortic dissection, which will cause tearing pain.
