Chest pain is the most common cause that drives people to the emergency room (ER). There are several causes for chest pain, some are life-threatening while others are not. A healthcare professional can find the cause of your chest pain and put your mind at ease. ease.
Upper West Side Manhattan chest pain evaluation helps detect the cause and offers a proactive management approach, improving your overall health.
Chest pain is not always a warning sign
Chest pain is a type of discomfort in any area of your chest that may spread to other areas of your upper body, arms, neck, or jaw. Chest pains can be sharp or dull. You may feel tightness, achiness, or a squeeze in your chest.
The pain can last for a few minutes or hours, or persistent pain can last 6 months or longer. It may often worsen during exertion and improves when you rest. While sometimes it may happen when you are resting.
Chest pain can be a symptom of several conditions
Chest pains can come from heart, lungs, digestive, or other issues. It could be a common symptom of several health conditions, such as:
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Heart attack
- Gastritis
- Coronary artery disease
- Cardiomyopathy
- Pericarditis
- Aortic aneurysm
- Broken ribs
- Panic attacks
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- Strained chest muscles
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism (PE)
- Esophagitis
- Pancreatitis
- Asthma
- Rib fracture
- Shingles
Seeking medical help for chest pain
Not all chest pains require immediate medical care. It is important to know the warning signs that accompany chest pain to know if it is serious. Some of these include:
- Chest pain lasting longer than 5 minutes that does not subside by rest or medication
- Excess sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Irregular heartbeat
- Radiating pain in your back, neck, and jaw
Even if the pain improves by resting, do not ignore it. Seek emergency medical care to get yourself evaluated so that the cause of your chest pain can be identified to receive appropriate care.
Healthcare professionals usually conduct a physical examination and order a few diagnostic tests like X-rays, and electrocardiogram (ECG) to determine the cause.
Bottom line
It is a human tendency to think of a heart attack when you have chest pain, but there could be other underlying factors that cause pain. Knowing the warning signs helps you decide when it is necessary to seek medical attention.
Determining the cause can help healthcare professionals to plan the further course of action and design a suitable treatment plan for you.
