Chest Pain
What is Chest Pain?
Chest pain refers to discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen. It can be sharp, dull, burning, aching, or tight and may spread to other areas such as the arms, back, or jaw.
Types of Chest Pain
- Cardiac Chest Pain: Related to heart problems such as angina or heart attack.
- Non-Cardiac Chest Pain: Related to issues outside the heart such as muscle strain, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), or anxiety.
Common Causes of Chest Pain
Heart-related Causes:
- Angina: Caused by reduced blood flow to the heart.
- Heart Attack: Blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac around the heart.
- Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle.
- Aortic Dissection: A tear in the aorta wall.
Lung-related Causes:
- Pulmonary Embolism: A blood clot in the lung.
- Pneumonia: Infection of the lungs.
- Pleurisy: Inflammation of the membrane surrounding the lungs.
- Pneumothorax: Collapsed lung.
Gastrointestinal Causes:
- GORD: Acid reflux.
- Oesophageal Spasm: Sudden, involuntary contractions of the oesophagus.
- Peptic Ulcers: Sores in the lining of the stomach.
Musculoskeletal Causes:
- Costochondritis: Inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the breastbone.
- Muscle Strain: Overuse or injury to chest muscles.
Symptoms to Watch For:
- Pain that spreads to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms.
- Shortness of breath.
- Sweating.
- Dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Rapid or irregular pulse.
When to Seek Medical Help
- If you experience sudden, severe chest pain or pressure, call emergency services immediately.
- If the pain spreads to other parts of your body (e.g., arms, jaw, back).
- If you have chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fainting.
Diagnosis
We may use various tests to diagnose the cause of chest pain, including:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG): Measures the electrical activity of the heart.
- Blood Tests: Check for markers of heart damage.
- Chest X-ray: Examines the lungs and chest cavity.
- Echocardiogram: Ultrasound of the heart.
- Stress Tests: Assess heart function under stress (stress echo and MRI)
- Coronary Angiography: Visualizes blood flow in the coronary arteries. CT and Diagnostic coronary angiogram
Treatment
The treatment for chest pain depends on its cause:
- Medications: Such as antianginal medication.
- Lifestyle Changes: Diet, exercise, stress management.
- Procedures: Angioplasty, stent placement, or surgery.
Prevention
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol.
- Manage stress effectively.
- Control risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Important Notes
- Always take chest pain seriously and consult with your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
- Keep a record of your symptoms, their triggers, and what alleviates them to help your healthcare provider in diagnosing the cause.
This information is intended to provide general knowledge about chest pain and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always follow the instructions and guidance of your healthcare provider.