Why might I have chest pain?
Chest pain is a common symptom that has numerous causes. You might strain a muscle in your chest during vigorous activity, for example. Or acid from your stomach could reflux up your esophagus, causing heartburn.
Most people worry about chest pain because it can be a symptom of heart problems. Many cases of chest pain aren't heart-related, but it's important to make sure by seeking professional medical advice. Some heart conditions can have life-threatening consequences.
The term for chest pain that’s due to a heart condition is angina.
What is angina?
Angina is a symptom of heart problems rather than a disease in itself. The most likely cause of angina is a lack of oxygen in your heart muscle due to heart disease or coronary microvascular disease (MVD).
Angina causes a feeling of intense pressure or squeezing on your chest that can spread to your jaw, neck, back, shoulders, and arms. You might experience additional symptoms, such as:
- Dizziness
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Nausea
Finding the cause of your angina helps to ensure you receive the most effective treatment.
How is chest pain diagnosed?
Heart and Vascular of Central Texas uses a variety of tests to determine why you have angina.
An electrocardiogram (EKG) measures electrical activity in your heart and is a good way to assess you for a heart attack. An echocardiogram is another common test for chest pain. It creates a moving image of the structures in your heart using ultrasound technology.
If these initial tests don't pinpoint what's causing your chest pain, you might need to undergo specialized diagnostic procedures such as a stress test, nuclear imaging, or Holter monitoring.
What treatments are available for chest pain?
The treatments Heart and Vascular of Central Texas recommends for your chest pain vary according to the cause of your condition. Therapies could include:
- Weight loss (if you're overweight or obese)
- A healthy diet and more exercise
- Artery relaxant medication
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Aspirin
- Blood-thinning medicines
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Beta blockers
- Calcium channel blockers
- Digitalis preparations
- Diuretics
- Vasodilators
If your chest pain is due to coronary artery disease (CAD), you might require a minimally invasive cardiac catheterization procedure to open the narrowed arteries. Balloon angioplasty (with or without stent) and atherectomy are both effective options.
Find out why you have chest pain and get the expert treatment you need to address the cause by calling Heart and Vascular of Central Texas today or booking an appointment online.
