Chest pain is one of those symptoms that can immediately catch the attention of a person and make them worried. A sudden ache, a feeling of tightness or a sharp stab in the chest might catch a person off guard and make them wonder whether it is serious or not. For many people, the first thought at the instance of having a Heart attack chest pain might be the possibility of a heat attack. However, it is important to note that not all types of chest pains indicate a heart attack. Sometimes it might just be an acid reflux, muscle strain or even anxiety which might be visible on your body. However, sometimes this pain might be the symptom or the result of a serious underlying condition that needs immediate help, including lung problems, a blocked artery or even a blood clot. The main challenge behind determining whether a chest pain is serious or not occurs because of the fact that chest pains are different for different people and do not follow any usual pattern. In this article, we will try to uncover the different types of Chest pain breathing problem, the reasons that might be causing them, and how to know whether a chest pain is non-serious or a red flag indicating a health concern.
What is chest pain?
A chest pain can be defined as a pain or discomfort in any area of the chest. This pain might be restricted to the chest in some cases, while in others, it might travel to different parts of the upper body, including the arms, neck, and jaw, Right side chest pain or Chest pain left side. A chest pain can either be sharp or dull, tight or stabbing pain. Sometimes the patient might feel that something is pressing or pushing against his chest. This pain can last from a few minutes to a few hours. In some cases, this chest pain might even be continued on and off for six months. Chest pains can sometimes feel non-specific, while during other instances, it might be more general. Healthcare providers and specifically the emergency department often see the cases of sudden chest pains, however, it is not always related to the heart.
What are the common causes of chest pain?
GERD or acid reflux is one of the most common causes of Acidity chest pain in general. Since chest pains can have a wide range of causes, it is quite difficult to diagnose them. A chest pain might arise from a heart attack, coronary artery disease, an Aortic aneurysm, Pericarditis, Ulcers, gallstones, Hiatal Hernia, Gastritis, Pneumonia, asthma, etc. The treatment options depend on the underlying cause of the chest pain.
When does chest pain become serious?
If a person has chest pain that lasts more than five minutes, and doesn’t get better even when the person takes some rest medication, they should be rushed to the nearest medical facility. Cardiac chest pains, or Heart attack chest pain can be life-threatening, and immediate medical help is very important in such cases. Unlike a painful knee or a sore back, chest pains are not something which can be postponed for the next day, also, they are not something that can be diagnosed at home! It is always a good idea to not take any chances with chest pains in case the person is unsure of the cause. A chest pain can indicate a heart attack if a person experiences the following symptoms along with it:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sweating
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness
- An irregular and rapid heartbeat
- Pain in the back, jaw, upper abdomen, arms, shoulders or neck
Here are a few questions that the person should answer to himself and the healthcare provider in case of a heart attack:
- What exactly is the feeling, is it pain, pressure, tightness or something else?
- Where is the discomfort being felt, and when did it start?
- Has it stayed the same since its onset or gotten worse?
- Is the feeling constant or does it keep coming and going on its own?
- Has this been felt before or is it the first time?
- What was the person doing when this feeling started?
If a person gets to the clear answers of these questions, it might be a great help for them and their healthcare provider to pinpoint the actual cause of a chest pain, and provide the most accurate treatment for the same.
If you are looking for the best Heart specialist doctor near me or Chest pain treatment in Mohali, Sohana Hospital might be the best option for you. Sohana Hospital Mohali boasts of the world’s most advanced cutting-edge technology, and North India’s leading heart specialists who provide the most complete and holistic care for all the cardiological needs of the patients. Sohana Hospital is a super-speciality hospital which has a technologically advanced and highly equipped 24*7 emergency care department, which provides the most accurate and timely treatment in the most crucial of the situations.