Chest pain is a common symptom that can have many different causes. Some of them are related to the heart, while others are not. In this blog post, we will explore the most common heart-related causes of chest pain, how to recognize them, and what to do if you experience them.
Heart-related causes of chest pain include:
Angina: This is a type of chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood and oxygen. It usually happens during physical exertion, emotional stress, or exposure to cold. Angina can feel like pressure, squeezing, tightness, or heaviness in the chest. It may also radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, or back. Angina is a sign of coronary artery disease (CAD), which is the narrowing or blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the heart. Angina can be stable or unstable. Stable angina is predictable and occurs with a certain level of activity or stress. Unstable angina is unpredictable and can occur at rest or with minimal exertion. Unstable angina is more serious and requires immediate medical attention.
Heart attack: This is a life-threatening condition that occurs when a blood clot blocks one of the coronary arteries, cutting off the blood supply to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause severe chest pain that lasts longer than 15 minutes and does not go away with rest or nitroglycerin (a medication used to treat angina). The pain may also spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms, or back. Other symptoms of a heart attack include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. A heart attack is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment to restore blood flow and prevent permanent damage to the heart.
Pericarditis: This is an inflammation of the pericardium, which is the thin sac that surrounds and protects the heart. Pericarditis can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens when lying down, breathing deeply, coughing, or swallowing. The pain may also radiate to the neck, shoulder, or back. Pericarditis can be caused by viral infections, bacterial infections, autoimmune diseases, trauma, cancer, kidney failure, or certain medications. Pericarditis can be acute or chronic. Acute pericarditis lasts for less than six weeks and usually responds well to anti-inflammatory drugs. Chronic pericarditis lasts for more than six months and may require surgery to remove part of the pericardium.
Aortic dissection: This is a rare but serious condition that occurs when the inner layer of the aorta (the largest artery in the body) tears and separates from the outer layer. This creates a false channel where blood can flow and cause further damage to the aorta. Aortic dissection can cause sudden and severe chest pain that feels like ripping or tearing. The pain may also move to the back, abdomen, or legs. Other symptoms of aortic dissection include shortness of breath, sweating, weakness, numbness, or paralysis in one or more limbs. Aortic dissection is a medical emergency and requires immediate surgery to repair the tear and prevent rupture or death.
Pulmonary embolism: This is a blockage of one of the pulmonary arteries (the blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the lungs) by a blood clot that travels from another part of the body (usually the legs). Pulmonary embolism can cause sudden and sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing, coughing, or moving. The pain may also be accompanied by shortness of breath, coughing up blood, rapid heartbeat, low blood pressure, or fainting. Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition that can lead to lung damage or death if not treated promptly with anticoagulants (blood thinners) or surgery.
These are some of the most common heart-related causes of chest pain. However, there are other possible causes that are not related to the heart, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), esophageal spasm, costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage between the ribs), pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs), pneumonia (infection of the lungs), asthma (narrowing of the airways), panic attacks (sudden episodes of intense fear), or anxiety (chronic feelings of worry or nervousness).
If you experience chest pain that is new,
severe, persistent, or accompanied by other symptoms such as shortness of
breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting,
you should seek medical attention as soon as possible. Do not ignore chest pain
or try to self-diagnose it. Chest pain can be a sign of a serious condition
that requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.
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