Chest pain can be scary, and for good reason — it’s your body’s way of telling you that something may be wrong. In the United States, chest pain accounts for more than 6.5 million emergency room visits and 4 million outpatient consultations every year, making it one of the most common reasons to seek urgent medical care.
Typically, only 5.5% of people presenting to the ER with chest pain are having a heart attack or other life-threatening cardiac event, but it’s never something to brush off. At Healing Hearts Clinic, we aim to help you understand the causes of chest pain, when to seek help, and why prompt action could save your life.
Chest pain has numerous possible causes. Here are the most common reasons people experience it:
Cardiovascular issues include heart attacks, arrhythmia (abnormal heart rhythm), angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), pericarditis (inflammation around the heart), and heart failure.
Conditions like pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs), pneumonia, pleurisy, and a collapsed lung can cause chest pain.
Acid reflux, heartburn, gallstones, or esophageal spasms can trigger chest pain.
Strained chest muscles, inflammation in the rib joints, and shoulder injuries can all cause chest pain.
A panic attack can feel like a heart attack, with symptoms such as chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, and shortness of breath, as well as chest pain.
Because chest pain can originate from various sources, it’s essential to obtain an accurate diagnosis.
At Healing Hearts Clinic, we take chest pain seriously. Our skilled team of heart specialists begins by carefully listening to your symptoms and taking a thorough medical history. We may recommend tests like:
Once we understand what’s causing your pain, we’ll guide you through the next steps, whether that’s medication, lifestyle changes, or a procedure like balloon angioplasty and stenting to improve blood flow to the heart.
You should always take chest pain seriously. Even if the pain is mild or goes away on its own, it could still be a sign of a serious health problem. Here’s when you should seek medical care for chest pain:
Don’t wait and see. If there’s any doubt, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
One of the most dangerous causes of chest pain is a heart attack. In this situation, every second counts when it comes to saving heart muscle and preserving your life. If you or someone else has the following symptoms, call 911 right away:
Women sometimes have different symptoms. They may feel more shortness of breath, nausea, back pain, or overwhelming fatigue instead of the classic crushing chest pain. It’s crucial to recognize that heart attacks can manifest differently in each individual.
While not all causes of chest pain are preventable, you can manage many heart problems with healthy lifestyle habits. Here’s what you can do to protect your heart:
Chest pain might be something minor, or it might be a sign of a life-threatening condition — only a medical professional can tell the difference. We’re here to help you get answers and take the best possible care of your heart.
If you’re experiencing chest pain or if you’ve had it in the past and never got it checked, don’t wait. Call Healing Hearts Clinic today or get in touch using the online inquiry form.
