What Is Chest Pain?
Chest Pain Treatment in Houston, TX
By now, we all know that chest pain and discomfort shouldn’t go ignored. In fact, chest pain can often signal something serious such as a heart attack, so it’s important to recognize when you should seek immediate medical attention and when you should turn to our Houston, TX, board-certified cardiologist Dr. Swati Gupta for an evaluation.
Heart Problems That Cause Chest Pain
Often, chest pain is indicative of a heart problem such as coronary artery disease or a heart attack. This is why chest pain should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional. Other heart problems that can cause chest pain include myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscles), pericarditis (an infection within the heart), mitral valve prolapse (a condition in which one or more valves do not work properly), or cardiomyopathy (thickening of the heart muscle).
Other Causes of Chest Pain
While chest pain is often a warning sign of an underlying heart problem, sometimes the heart isn’t to blame for your chest pain. Other problems that could be causing your chest pain include:
- Lung conditions: this includes pneumonia, pleurisy, asthma, or COPD
- Gastrointestinal conditions: this includes pancreatitis, GERD, a hiatal hernia, or peptic ulcers
- Musculoskeletal conditions: this includes fractured ribs and muscle strains or sprains
- Other conditions: sometimes anxiety disorders and panic attacks can also cause chest pain
What is Angina?
Angina is ischemic chest pain that occurs when there is restricted blood flow to the heart. Angina is a symptom that can often alert our cardiologist to the fact that there is an underlying heart condition that needs to be evaluated and treated. Since angina can increase a person’s risk for heart attack, you must see a cardiologist right away if you are dealing with chest pain.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention for Chest Pain
Call 911 or go to your nearest ER if you experience:
- Sudden and severe chest pain that radiates to the jaws, arms, and back
- Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath or trouble breathing
- Drop in blood pressure
- Low heart rate
- Rapid heart rate, confusion, or dizziness
- A crushing, pressure or squeezing sensation in the chest