In general, all chest pains should be evaluated by a physician unless there was a clear and reversible cause for it (mild trauma, cuts, burns, bruises, etc.). But patients can present with a number of symptoms that they may not normally associate with heart disease such as:Ĭhest pain can be due to a number of causes, but if a patient has developed chest pain, especially while exercising, they should definitely see a doctor. We are very aware of the "Hollywood heart attack" whereby patients can have chest pain that is tight or heavy that is located in the center of their chest and can go down their left arm. See a doctor anytime you are worried by your chest pain. When should someone see a doctor for chest pain? Cardiac chest pain can also radiate to the neck, jaw or inner aspect of the left arm it rarely changes with position but will worsen with exertion or physical activity.įor more information on heart attacks, along with a useful infographic, visit the American College of Cardiology’s CardioSmart patient info page. It is often associated with other worrisome symptoms such as shortness of breath, passing out or nearly passing out, nausea, vomiting and profuse sweating. Is there a way to know if chest pain is due to a heart condition?Ĭhest pain arising from heart conditions is generally slow to start and slow to resolve, lasting minutes, not seconds. Sometimes it's hard to differentiate, but your doctor can help.
If any of these causes are suspected, patients should see their doctor. High blood pressure can also cause chest pain and is a cause for concern.
The causes that concern us the most are due to either a blockage in the artery of the heart or a problem with one of the valves of the heart. Chest pain may be due to an injury to the chest, a pulled muscle, a lung problem, or acid reflux. Other non-cardiac conditions causing chest pain could include shingles, inflammation of the chest wall nerves or cartilage of the ribcage, peptic ulcers or GERD, spasm of the esophagus and, rarely, inflammation of the pancreas or gallbladder. Why do people experience chest pain?Ĭhest pain may be caused by any body structure in the chest – or even abdomen – including superficial structures such as the skin, connective tissue and surface nerves or deep structures and organs such as the heart, lungs and stomach. Here's what you need to know about chest pain, its causes, treatments, and when it indicates a serious coronary artery problem.
Is the chest pain you're experiencing just indigestion from a spicy meal, or could your body be alerting you to a more serious issue requiring medical attention?Ĭhest pain – also known as angina – is a key indicator of coronary heart disease, the most common type of heart disease that kills 365,000 people each year.
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