Chest Pain

In most cases, chest pain may not be caused by something serious, but getting medical confirmation is a good idea. See your doctor if you have chest pains that cause concern.

A variety of conditions can cause chest pain. The most critical situation is when a heart or lung condition results in chest pain.

Chest pain can manifest in many forms. However, not all types of chest pain are related to cardiac issues. In general, chest pain that follows any of the following patterns is more likely to be related to heart problems.

• Sharp stab or a dull ache in the chest
• Intense pressure or burning sensation in the chest
• Pain that travels up the neck, into the jaw, and then spreads to the back or down one or both arms
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Dizziness and light-headedness

While symptoms can differ from one person to another, symptoms for women that can be connected to heart problems may be different. This may include:

• Unusual fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness or light-headedness
• Discomfort in the gut (can feel like indigestion)
• Discomfort in the neck, shoulder, or upper back

If your chest pain is due to a heart problem, any of the following conditions could have triggered it.

• Heart Attack – Chest pain caused by blocked blood flow to the heart due to a blood clot results in heart attacks.
• Angina – If the walls of your arteries get lined with plaque, it narrows the path of blood flow to the heart. Angina is chest pain caused by poor blood flow to the heart.
• Aortic Dissection – This condition occurs if the aorta ruptures when blood leaks between the layers of the arterial walls. The aorta is the largest artery that carries blood to the heart. An aortic aneurysm may cause this condition. 
• Pericarditis – It is the inflammation of the sac around the heart. The condition may cause a sharp pain that worsens when breathing in or lying down.

Chest pain can also be caused by digestive issues (heartburn and gallbladder or pancreatic problems), injured or sore muscles, and lung disorders (blood clots, a collapsed lung, or pulmonary embolism).

Chest pains do not always mean problems with the heart. However, getting medical assistance is always a good idea if you feel chest pain so your cardiologist can rule out potential heart conditions as the cause of the chest pain.

Your cardiologist may use any of the following tests to evaluate your chest pain: 

• Electrocardiogram
• CT-scan
• X-ray
• Blood test

Treatment will always depend on the underlying problem that caused your chest pain.

Call 911 immediately if you have intense chest pain that comes on suddenly and causes shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.

If you are experiencing sudden, intense chest pain, please call 911. For chest pain that does not go away or manifests repeatedly, please contact us to schedule a cardiology consultation with Dr. Lilian Ahiable.

At Sydnor Cardiovascular Center, we provide expert care for people with all types of cardiac concerns. Entrust your heart health with Dr. Ahiable and our team at Sydnor Cardiovascular Center.

To schedule an appointment, call us at 727-300-2282 or request an appointment online.