Chest Pain

What is Chest Pain?

Chest pain manifests in various forms, ranging from a sharp stab to a dull ache, and its nature varies among individuals. Factors such as quality, intensity, duration, and location contribute to the diversity of chest pain experiences. It may signal a serious heart-related issue or stem from a common cause that is not life-threatening.

Causes of Chest Pain

When experiencing severe chest pain, the immediate concern is often a heart attack; however, chest pain can arise from various less serious conditions. The following are some causes:

Heart-Related Causes:

• Heart Attack: Blockage of blood flows to the heart.
• Angina: Chest pain due to blockages in the blood vessels leading to the heart.
• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac around the heart.
• Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle.
• Cardiomyopathy: A disease of the heart muscle.
• Aortic Dissection: A rare condition involving a tear in the aorta, the large vessel off the heart.

Gastrointestinal Causes:

• Acid Reflux: Heartburn, especially after eating.
• Swallowing Problems: Related to esophageal disorders.
• Gallstones: Leading to upper abdominal pain or post-meal pain.
• Inflammation of Gallbladder or Pancreas.

Lung-Related Causes:

• Pneumonia: Causing pain that worsens with breathing.
• Viral Bronchitis: Resulting in chest soreness and muscle aches.
• Pneumothorax (Collapsed Lung): Sudden onset of chest pain.
• Blood Clot or Pulmonary Embolus: Sharp pain worsening with breathing.
• Bronchospasm: Causing chest tightness, common in asthma and related disorders.

Muscle- or Bone-Related Causes:

• Bruised or Broken Ribs: Due to chest injury.
• Sore Muscles: Resulting from exertion or chronic pain syndromes.
• Compression Fractures: Causing nerve pressure.

Other Causes:

• Shingles: Resulting in chest pain, often preceding the appearance of the rash.
• Panic Attacks: Inducing chest pain.

Symptoms Associated with Chest Pain

Accompanying symptoms aid in diagnosis. Heart-related symptoms may include chest pressure, back, jaw, or arm pain, fatigue, shortness of breath, and nausea. Other symptoms indicating non-heart-related chest pain include acidic taste in the mouth, pain related to swallowing or eating, positional pain variation, deep breathing or cough-related pain, pain with a rash, fever, aches, chills, runny nose or cough, feelings of panic or anxiety, and radiating back pain to the chest’s front.

Diagnosis of Chest Pain

Immediate attention is crucial for suspected heart attacks or unexplained chest pain lasting more than a few moments. Diagnostic tests may include:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG): Records heart’s electrical activity.
• Blood Tests: Measure enzyme levels.
• Chest X-ray: Examines heart, lungs, and blood vessels.
• Echocardiogram: Uses sound waves for heart imaging.
• MRI: Detects heart or aorta damage.
• Stress Tests: Measure heart function after exertion.
• Angiogram: Identifies arterial blockages.

Treatment of Chest Pain

Treatments depend on the cause:

Heart-Related Causes:

• Medications: Nitroglycerin, clot-busting drugs, or blood thinners.
• Cardiac Catheterization or Surgical Repair: For artery issues.

Other Causes:

• Lung Reinflation: For a collapsed lung, involving chest tube insertion.
• Antacids or Procedures: For acid reflux and heartburn symptoms.
• Anti-Anxiety Medications: For chest pain related to panic attacks.
• Bronchodilation: For asthma attacks.