Chest pain is never an agreeable thing to experience. Chest pain, whether mild or severe, could be a symptom of many different diseases – serious or minor. Only a health checkup with a chest doctor will ascertain what the root cause of your chest pain is. In case if the reason for your chest pain is serious, many may pass off chest discomfort as acidity, thereby increasing the risk factor. In general, coronary heart disease causes chest discomfort. Furthermore, during chest discomfort, the individual may experience perspiration around the neck and forehead, causing them to suffer with triggering discomfort in the head.
POSSIBLE CAUSES OF CHEST PAIN
· Heartburn: In certain circumstances, individuals experience acidity. Furthermore, the acidity produces heartburn, which causes chest pain. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)-related chest pain is frequently referred to as non-cardiac chest pain (NCCP) (ACG). Chest pain stemming from GERD may affect your upper body in some cases, but it is most often centered either behind your sternum or just underneath it in an area known as the epigastrium.
· Lifting large weights: You may have chest discomfort if you execute the hard activity. It occurs as a result of the intense cardio and heavyweight. The heartbeat rises when the cardiac rhythm becomes unstable. Costochondritis symptoms might range from a little ache to a severe discomfort in the chest. They may also impact one or both chest sides. Pain and inflammation can be treated with corticosteroid medicine. Surgery could be advised in some extreme circumstances.
· Anxiety: is a prevalent concern among adolescents. Furthermore, persons who suffer from severe anxiety get anxiety episodes. Anxiety attacks are characterized by a muscular twitch or spasm in your chest heat, numbness, or a dull discomfort stabbing pressure chest strain or tightness.
· Angina: A cardiac defect causes chest pain and sweating around the neck and forehead. Squeezing, pressure, heaviness, tightness, or discomfort in the chest are common characteristics of angina pain. It could seem like there is a big weight on your chest. Angina can cause either a fresh discomfort that has to be checked out by a doctor or a persistent pain that gets better with therapy.
· Aortic dissection: The primary artery that transports blood from the heart to the body is the aorta. Aortic dissection is a potentially fatal disorder in which the blood penetrates between the inner layers of the blood arteries when they split. The aorta finally ruptures as a result of this.
· Pericarditis: Pericarditis causes intense chest discomfort as the inflamed layers of the pericardium brush against one another. The most common symptom of pericarditis is chest pain. The sensation of sharp pain is usually associated with this particular article of clothing. Some people have chest pain that is very hard to tolerate. The pain can be felt behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest. The pain may spread to the left shoulder and neck, get worse when coughing, lying down or taking a deep breath, and get better when sitting up or leaning forward.
· Coronary artery disease (CAD): Coronary artery disease (CAD) normally does not create symptoms until it is advanced. Dizziness, indigestion-like feelings, exhaustion, loss of energy, shortness of breath, and chest discomfort are some of the symptoms. Some people, particularly women, may have short or acute neck, arm, or back discomfort after experiencing CAD pain.
· Gallbladder problems: The discomfort of a gallbladder attack is caused by a stone blocking a bile duct, and the intensity of an attack can range from heartburn-like pain to nausea and vomiting. While the right upper or midline abdomen is where gallbladder discomfort is normally concentrated, it can occasionally seem as though it is coming from the lower mid chest. In fact, it happens frequently for patients who are hospitalized for a suspected heart attack to learn that the cause was actually the gallbladder. If you experience chest discomfort, visit an emergency facility because this diagnosis cannot be made without tests.
· Musculoskeletal issues (for example, shattered ribs): It is caused by discomfort in the rib cage cartilage and muscles, as well as the ribs. It happens again when you push or apply pressure to that location.
· Embolism of the lungs: Sharp and piercing pain on one side of the chest that worsens as you try to inhale. Chest discomfort, shortness of breath, dizziness, or a combination of those symptoms should raise suspicion. Rarely, individuals may also have heart palpitations, stomach discomfort, or back pain.
TREATMENTS
A consultation with a chest doctor will most likely result in one of the following treatment plans:
- A drug such as nitroglycerin may be prescribed which will help improve blood flow to the heart.
- Antacids will be prescribed by the doctor to alleviate heartburn.
- Anti-anxiety drugs may be prescribed by the heart doctor in specific instances. It will aid in the reduction of anxiety episodes.
- If the heart stops working, the doctor will recommend heart surgery.
- Bypass grafting is a surgical treatment for mending the arteries.
- Cardiac catheterization is also available using balloon testing.
- The doctor also recommends therapy to alleviate chest discomfort.
- Heart specialists advise taking medicine and doing breathing exercises.
The chest discomfort feels like a stroking and heart-triggering sensation. Patients sometimes experience jaw and back discomfort when treated with certain medications. If you experience chest pain that is severe, it is important to consult a chest doctor. If you have a regular heart, it will not be able to handle the chest pain. If you have dizziness and faintness, you may qualify for a medical emergency.
DIAGNOSIS
The doctor can determine the likely underlying reason with the use of the patient’s medical history and physical examination. Your doctor could recommend you undergo one or more of the following tests based on the results of your clinical evaluation.
· Electrocardiogram: To detect any irregularities in the electrical activity of the heart, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is performed.
· Blood tests: To look for specific markers (proteins/enzymes) in the blood that point to cardiac disease.
· Chest X-ray: To examine the heart and lungs for any pathology.
· CT scan: To examine the heart, lungs, ribs, blood vessels, and other tissues in the chest for any anomalies.
