It’s natural to think “heart” whenever you experience chest pain. And you should take it seriously since it’s one of the warning signs of a heart attack. You might be relieved to learn, however, that chest pain is not always about your heart.
Our team of board-certified cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and physician assistants at Premier Cardiology Consultants in New York specializes in accurately diagnosing and treating cardiac disease.
We’re happy to share a few facts about chest pain and why it deserves your attention.
It bears repeating that you should always take chest pain seriously because it can signal a life-threatening heart attack or lung condition such as a pulmonary embolism (blood clot) that requires urgent medical care.
This is especially true if your chest pain lasts longer than five minutes or is accompanied by:
Thanks to ongoing advances in technology and treatment techniques, your odds of surviving a heart attack are quite high, and damage to your heart may be limited if you receive immediate medical attention.
A heart attack occurs when blood flow to your heart muscle is blocked, usually related to plaque buildup in the coronary arteries (coronary artery disease).
Other issues can cause chest pain, however, and some are also related to your heart health. The most common are:
Many of these issues include other symptoms that may also mimic a heart attack and add to the confusion about what’s causing your chest pain.
Anxiety, for instance, can also cause nausea, sweating, and a rapid heart rate. Gallbladder disease (gallstones) may trigger upper abdominal discomfort and bloating as well as intense pain in the center of your back that radiates into your shoulder.
Other signs that may signal your chest pain isn’t a cardiac issue include:
It’s important, however, that you not try to self-diagnose, since many of the illnesses or conditions that cause chest pain are serious, including various forms of heart disease, and require medical care.
At Premier Cardiology Consultants, we encourage people to see a doctor whenever they have health concerns, whether you’re having symptoms currently or are seeking guidance about preventive care.
Certainly, if you’re worried you might be having a heart attack, or if you develop new or unexplained chest pain, call 911 immediately.
Otherwise, for an accurate diagnosis of what’s causing your symptoms and comprehensive cardiac care you can rely on, schedule an evaluation at Premier Cardiology Consultants today.
