Chest pain
Alternative Names
Chest painWhat is Chest pain
Chest pain is one of the most frightening symptoms that may be a symptom of a number of serious conditions and usually is considered to be a medical emergency, because in some cases it is life-threatening. But sometimes chest pain is less dangerous. It is the most standard complete of people who calls the Emergency.
Signs and symptoms
You will probably have the following symptoms together with chest pain:
If you have heartburn you will experience a painful, burning sensation behind your breastbone.
Possible complications
There are no common complications of chest pain, everything depends on particular situation, because every case is individual. Many people think about heart disease but chest pains can be a reason of a number of factors.
What causes
Heart-related causes consist of:
- heart attack
- angina
- aortic dissection
- pericarditis
- digestive causes
- heartburn
- swallowing disorders
- gallbladder or pancreas problems
- muscle and bone causes
Injuries and other problems affecting the structures that make up the chest wall include:
- costochondritis
- sore muscles
- injured ribs
Lung-related causes include:
- pulmonary embolism
- pleurisy
- collapsed lung
- pulmonary hypertension
Other causes may be:
- panic attack
- shingles
Prevention
It is important to pay attention to chest pain, because it can prolong your life. It is highly recommended to follow the next precautions:
- avoid smoking
- keep blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes in check
Counter obesity by the following methods:
- walking for a minimum of 30 min for at least 5 days a week
- eating a balanced low fat meal with plenty of fibers
- follow any stress- busting technique such as meditation or yoga regularly
Treatment
You should discuss the treatment plan with your doctor. Commonly, it is recommended to take the following medications:
- artery relaxers, e.g. nitroglycerin
- clot-busting drugs
- blood thinners
- antacids
- anti-anxiety drugs
- surgical and other procedures
There are also some procedures for treating the most dangerous chest pain causes:
- balloons and stents
- bypass surgery
- dissection repair
- lung reinflation
