Locations: LA, SF, San Diego, Seattle, Texas, Chicago, Atlanta, Washington DC, New York

Chest pain

If somebody is experiencing chest pain, this could be caused by a number of reasons. Chest pains could signify that there is a problem with your heart, such as, a heart attack or angina. They can also be caused by lung related illnesses, such as a collapsed lung and pleurisy or muscle and bone reasons, such as, sore muscles or a rib injury or digestive reasons, such as heartburn and stomach problems. If you are having stomach problems, the pain that you are feeling could radiate to your chest. If it is something that is ongoing though, you should see a doctor immediately.

SYMPTOMS OF CHEST PAINS

Generally, when someone is experiencing chest pains, the most common symptom is tightening of the chest and shortness of breath However, the symptoms can also be very different depending on what is triggering the pain. If it is a heart related issue, the symptoms are more likely to be pressure and tightness of the chest, you may experience vomiting, weakness and shortness of breath as well as cold sweats. If it is due to a lung issue, such as, pneumonia, you may experience a lot of coughing as well as cold sweats and shortness of breath.

Treatments

The treatment for chest pain varies depending on the cause of the chest pain. Usually you will be given medications but sometimes other procedures and surgeries are needed.

Medication

Drugs can treat most of the common causes of chest pain.

  • Artery relaxers — these can help to relax the arteries in order for blood to flow more easily through the narrower spaces. These medication is called Nitroglycerin and is usually taken by tablet under the tongue.
  • Aspirin — aspirin can help with chest pain that is related to the heart and can be brought over-the-counter.
  • Thrombolytic drugs — these a clot-busting drugs and are giving during a heart attack. They work by dissolving the clot which blocks the blood from reaching your heart muscle.
  • Blood thinners — you’ll be given medication that thins the blood and makes it harder to form blood clots to prevent them forming. This is especially effective if you have a clot in the artery that feeds into your lungs or heart.
  • Acid-suppressing medications — some chest pain can be caused by acid in the stomach splashing into the esophagus. If this is the case your doctor might recommend medications that help and reduce the amount of acid in your stomach.
  • Anti-depressants — chest pain could come from panic attacks and if this is the case your doctor might prescribe anti-depressants, cognitive therapy or psychological therapy. These could help to limit your symptoms.

Surgical and other Procedures

These battle the most dangerous causes of chest pain.

  • Angioplasty and stent placement — Your doctor will insert a catheter with a balloon attached on the end and put it into a large blood vessel inside your groin and snake it up to the blockage in the artery. The balloon will then inflate and widen the artery, and then be removed after deflation. A stent (a small wire mesh tube) can be placed on the balloon tip of the catheter and be locked in place as it opens the artery.
  • Bypass surgery — a blood vessel is taken from another part of your body to use as another route for the blood to go around the blocked artery.
  • Dissection repair — If you have an aortic dissection, which is a dangerous and life-threatening condition when the artery that takes blood from your heart ruptures, you will need emergency surgery.
  • Lung reinflation — You will receive a tube into your chest to reinflate your collapsed lung.

Related Forums

Related Videos

There Are not available any Video.