Chest pain (patient information): Difference between revisions
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*You have sudden sharp [[chest pain]] with [[shortness of breath]], especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest (for example, following an operation), or other lack of movement that can lead to a [[blood clot]] in your [[leg]]. | *You have sudden sharp [[chest pain]] with [[shortness of breath]], especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest (for example, following an operation), or other lack of movement that can lead to a [[blood clot]] in your [[leg]]. | ||
Know that your risk of [[heart attack]] is greater if you have a [[family history]] of [[heart disease]], you smoke, use [[cocaine]], are overweight, or you have [[high cholesterol]], [[high blood pressure]], or [[diabetes]]. | Know that your risk of [[heart attack]] is greater if you have a [[family history]] of [[heart disease]], you smoke, use [[cocaine]], are [[overweight]], or you have [[high cholesterol]], [[high blood pressure]], or [[diabetes]]. | ||
Call your doctor if: | Call your doctor if: | ||
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*You have [[chest pain]] that is severe and does not go away. | *You have [[chest pain]] that is severe and does not go away. | ||
*You are having problems [[swallowing]]. | *You are having problems [[swallowing]]. | ||
*Chest wall pain persists for longer than 3 to 5 days. | *[[Chest wall]] [[pain]] persists for longer than 3 to 5 days. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
Revision as of 20:11, 28 January 2010
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What is Chest pain?
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
What are the symptoms of Chest pain?
What causes Chest pain?
Many people with chest pain fear a heart attack. However, there are many possible causes of chest pain. Some causes are mildly inconvenient, while other causes are serious, even life-threatening. Any organ or tissue in your chest can be the source of pain, including your heart, lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons, or nerves.
Heart problems that can cause chest pain:
- Angina is a type of heart-related chest pain. This pain occurs because your heart is not getting enough blood and oxygen. The most common symptom is chest pain that occurs behind the breast bone or slightly to the left of it. It may feel like tightness, heavy pressure, squeezing, or crushing pain. The pain may spread to the arm, shoulder, jaw, or back.
- Heart attack pain can be similar to the pain of unstable angina, but more severe.
- Aortic dissection causes sudden, severe pain in the chest and upper back.
- Inflammation or infection in the tissue around the heart (pericarditis) causes pain in the center part of the chest.
Lung problems that can cause chest pain:
- Pneumonia, which causes chest pain that usually feels sharp, and often gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough
- A blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism), collapse of a small area of the lung (pneumothorax), or inflammation of the lining around the lung (pleurisy) can cause chest pain that usually feels sharp, and often gets worse when you take a deep breath or cough
- Asthma, which generally also causes shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing
Other causes of chest pain:
- Strain or inflammation of the muscles and tendons between the ribs
- Inflammation where the ribs join the breast bone or sternum (costochondritis)
- Shingles (sharp, tingling pain on one side that stretches from the chest to the back)
- Anxiety and rapid breathing
Chest pain can also be related to the following digestive system problems:
- Heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux(GERD)
- Stomach ulcer (burning pain occurs if your stomach is empty and feels better when you eat food)
- Gallbladder (pain often gets worse after a meal, especially a fatty meal)
In children, most chest pain is not caused by the heart.
Who is at risk for Chest pain?
How do I know I have Chest pain?
When to seek urgent medical care
Call 911 if:
- You have sudden crushing, squeezing, tightening, or pressure in your chest.
- Pain radiates to your jaw, left arm, or between your shoulder blades.
- You have nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath.
- You know you have angina and your chest discomfort is suddenly more intense, brought on by lighter activity, or lasts longer than usual.
- Your angina symptoms occur at rest.
- You have sudden sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest (for example, following an operation), or other lack of movement that can lead to a blood clot in your leg.
Know that your risk of heart attack is greater if you have a family history of heart disease, you smoke, use cocaine, are overweight, or you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes.
Call your doctor if:
- You have a fever or a cough that produces yellow-green phlegm.
- You have chest pain that is severe and does not go away.
- You are having problems swallowing.
- Chest wall pain persists for longer than 3 to 5 days.
Treatment options
Where to find medical care for Chest pain
Directions to Hospitals Treating Chest pain