What is chest pain?
Certainly, chest pain is not something to ignore. You may feel chest pain anywhere from your neck region to your upper abdomen.
It may be caused by temporary poor blood flow to the heart, or by a sudden blockage in the coronary arteries resulting in a heart attack.
It has many possible causes. In fact, as much as most of the population experiences chest pain that is not related to the heart. It may cause by some other reasons, like problems in your lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, or nerves. Because of the complex system of nerves in our body, the causes of chest pain may come from some other regions such as your abdomen. This is known as referred pain.
Symptoms of chest pain
Sharp, dull, burning, pain in the center of your chest, or behind the breastbone. You may feel this as a squeezing, tightening, choking, or heavy pressure in the chest.
Sometimes pain spreading to the shoulders, arms, neck, throat, jaw or back
sweating sometimes feel
feeling anxious, dizzy or unwell
Shortness of breath
symptoms that often last 15 to 20 minutes or more.
Causes of chest pain
Heart problems
Myocardial infarction, Coronary artery disease, Myocarditis, pericarditis, Mitral valve prolapse, Coronary artery dissection
Lung problems
Pneumonia, Pulmonary embolism, Pleuritis, Pneumothorax, Pulmonary hypertention, Asthma
Gastrointestinal problems
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Esophageal hypersensitivity, Esophageal contraction disorders, Peptic ulcers, Hiatal hernia, Pancreatitis.
Bone problems
Rib fracture may worsen during deep breathing or hard coughing.
Muscles problems
Hard coughing can injured or inflame the muscles and tendons between the ribs and cause chest pain. The pain tends to persist and it worsens with any physical activity.
Other common cause of chest pain include
Indigestion or stomach acid comes to oesophagus. This common problems can be made worse by smoking, drinking alcohol, eats fatty foods, and taking some drugs. You may feel this as burning sensation. It often goes away by quickly after taking antacid.
Diagnosis of chest pain
Before starting medical treatment the causes of the pain must be found
Electrocardiogram (ECG) - by this tracing the electrical activity of heart.
Blood tests - To measures inflammatory markers from the heart and other organs.
Chest X-ray - To look at the lungs heart and bones.
Sometimes healthcare professional think may have angina, they order further tests to check the condition of blood vessels that supply to your heart. They may arrange an exercise stress test or an treadmill test.
Chest pain- How to care of yourself at home
If your doctor check and has ruled out serious cause of chest pain, it is likely you will make a full recovery. General self care suggestion include -
Follow your doctor advice for treatment.
In first few days try to take it easy at home.
You can slowly increase your activity, as you are able.
Rest if you feel tired.
If you feel well there is no need to limit activity or work.
Reduce the risk of chest pain
Stop amoking.
Eat a healthy diet- eats a diet low in fat and eat plenty of whole grains, vegetables, and fruits.
Be physically active- enjoy moderate physical activity for atleast 30 to 40 minutes or more daily.
Watch your weight- keep a healthy weight by eating a good diet and exercising regularly.
Regular check-ups with your doctor.
If any activity brings on chest pain, stop what you are doing, call an ambulance anyway.
While you are waiting for the ambulance. Stop and rest quietly by sitting or lying down position. Chew 300 mg of aspirin unless your doctor has told you not to take it.
You must be logged in to post a comment.