Heart-Related Chest Pain
Chest pain, also referred to as angina, appears in many forms, ranging from a sharp stab to a dull ache. The most life-threatening causes of chest pain involve the heart or lungs, which is why it is very important to determine the cause of any chest pain.
During a heart attack, men and women can show very different symptoms. Sometimes, pain is directly in the chest like a crushing feeling. Other times, it can radiate up the neck and into the jaw, or down an arm.
It is not unusual for people with heart disease say they experience a vague discomfort that isn’t necessarily identified as pain.
Symptoms of a Cardiac Emergency
Chest discomfort related to a heart attack or another heart problem may be described by or associated with one or more of the following:
- Pressure, fullness, burning, or tightness in the chest
- Crushing or searing pain that radiates to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms
- Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Dizziness of weakness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Worsens with exercise
It can feel fleeting and can cause numbness, confusion, and profuse sweating causing weakness. Sometimes the pain is more in the back than the front; sometimes there is a shortness of breath and weakness; there can be a sudden loss of consciousness, elevated heart rate, or a very slow heart rate.
Chest pain can cause many different sensations depending on what’s triggering the symptom.
If you do think you are experiencing angina, or about to experience a heart attack, it is important to note that these symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and some people experience no symptoms at all!
Any kind of chest pain should not be ignored. Please call 9-1-1 immediately. Once diagnosed, our cardiologists may be able to treat your chest pains.
Symptoms That Suggest There is Another Problem
If you experience momentary chest discomfort, often characterized as a lightning bolt or electrical shock, it may result from musculoskeletal injury, inflammation, or nerve pain.
If you experience pinpoint chest discomfort that worsens with positional changes in breathing, it is more likely to involve the lungs.
Treatment of Angina
All chest pain should be checked by a doctor. If your doctor thinks that you have unstable angina or that your angina is related to a serious heart condition, they may recommend the following tests and procedures:
- EKG
- Stress Testing
- Blood Tests
- Chest X-Rays
- Coronary Angiography and Cardiac Catheterization
- Computed Tomography Angiography
- Lifestyle changes
- Medicines
- Cardiac procedures
- Cardiac rehabilitation
Only a medical professional can properly determine and treat the cause of your chest pain.
If you are suffering from chest pain, act immediately by calling 911 or visiting an emergency room.
If you are not having a medical emergency, Stockton Cardiology may be able to provide further insight into the source of your chest pain and treatment options. Get in touch with our cardiologist team today to learn about your options.