Chest pain differential diagnosis
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Iqra Qamar M.D.[2]
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Overview
There are several life-threatening causes of chest pain which need to be evaluated for first, which include; myocardial infarction, aortic dissection, esophageal rupture, pulmonary embolism, and tension pneumothorax. The other possible causes of chest pain can be evaluated for by carefully assessing the nature of the pain, and obtaining a thorough patient history.
Differential Diagnosis
5 Life Threatening Diseases to Exclude Immediately
The frequency of conditions exclusive of acute myocardial infarction in a decreasing order is:[1]
- Gastroesophageal disease
- Ischemic heart disease (angina, not myocardial infarction)
- Chest wall syndromes
Differentiating the Life Threatening and Ischemic Causes of Chest Pain from other Disorders
Thorough history including: onset, duration, type of pain, location, exacerbating factors, alleviating factors, and radiation. Risk factors for coronary artery disease: family history, smoking, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain:
References
- ↑ Fruergaard P, Launbjerg J, Hesse B, Jørgensen F, Petri A, Eiken P, Aggestrup S, Elsborg L, Mellemgaard K (1996). "The diagnoses of patients admitted with acute chest pain but without myocardial infarction". European Heart Journal. 17 (7): 1028–34. PMID 8809520. Retrieved 2012-05-02. Unknown parameter
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