Comfort and side effects

Chest Pain or Discomfort With CPAP: What It Means

Some new CPAP users feel chest muscle discomfort or a burning feeling from dry or cold air, which often fades. But chest pain can be serious: call 911 for chest pain that is severe, crushing, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating or pain spreading to your arm or jaw.

Signs

  • Tight or sore chest muscles in the morning
  • Burning feeling when breathing in cold air
  • Feeling like you are breathing against pressure

Common causes

Chest muscles adjusting
MedlinePlus lists chest muscle discomfort as a problem when first using PAP, which often goes away.
Dry or cold air
F&P notes some people feel a burning sensation from inhaling dry or cold air.
Pressure
F&P notes pressure may feel high on the chest if it is too high to exhale comfortably. Your clinician decides.
Other medical causes
Chest pain can come from heart or lung problems that need urgent care.

Fixes to try, easiest first

  1. Call 911 for emergency chest pain with your clinician

    If you have severe chest pain, pressure, or pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or spreading to your arm, back or jaw, call 911.

  2. Give your chest muscles a few nights

    If the feeling is a mild muscle ache rather than pain, MedlinePlus notes chest muscle discomfort is common when you first start PAP and often goes away. Keep a note of when it happens and whether it is getting better.

  3. Use humidity and heated tubing

    F&P suggests a humidifier for the burning feeling some people get from breathing dry or cold air. Heated tubing keeps the air warm in a cold bedroom.

  4. Use ramp and exhale relief

    These comfort settings can make breathing easier.

  5. Ask your clinician about pressure with your clinician

    Do not change your pressure. Your clinician can review your settings.

When to call your doctor

Call 911 for severe or sudden chest pain. Call your doctor if chest discomfort continues after the first weeks of CPAP.

Supplies that can help

Heated CPAP tubing

Tubing with a built-in heating wire that keeps humidified air warm all the way to the mask, which is the main fix for rainout (water droplets …

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Frequently asked questions

Is chest soreness normal when starting CPAP?

MedlinePlus lists chest muscle discomfort as a problem when first using PAP, which often goes away. Tell your doctor if it continues.

Can CPAP cause chest pain?

It can cause muscle discomfort or a burning feeling from dry air. Treat any severe chest pain as an emergency.

Should I stop using CPAP if my chest hurts?

Call your doctor. Call 911 for severe chest pain.

Sources

Last reviewed October 11, 2026. How we research · Report an error

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