Health & Wellness Resources: Provided by Allina Hospitals & Clinics

Chest Pain

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is chest pain? Chest pain is any discomfort between your abdomen (belly) and your neck. The pain may stay in your chest or move to other body areas.

What causes chest pain? Your chest pain may come and go for no known reason. Some chest pain may return often and be bothersome to you, but it may not be dangerous. However, some chest pain may be a sign of a serious health condition. You may not know what is causing your chest pain until you are seen at a hospital or clinic. Some causes of chest pain include the following:

Blood or circulation problems: High blood pressure or anemia (iron-poor blood) may cause chest pain. Another cause may be an aneurysm, which is a weak part in an artery (blood vessel) wall. Aneurysms can be serious, even life-threatening. Atherosclerosis may cause chest pain. This is a disease that causes fatty deposits to narrow arteries in your body, and increase your risk of blood clots.
Heart (cardiac) problems: Chest pain because of a heart problem may be serious or life-threatening and requires emergency medical care. Only a medical caregiver can say for sure if your chest pain is caused by a heart problem or not.
- Almost any heart problem can cause chest pain. For example, heart valve problems, heart rhythm problems, heart enlargement, and heart failure can cause chest pain.
- Angina is chest pain that happens when the heart does not get enough oxygen to do its work. You may have angina because of atherosclerosis or other heart problems. If the heart goes too long without enough oxygen, part of the heart muscle may die. This is called a myocardial infarction, MI, or a heart attack. Angina can be a warning sign that you may be at risk for a heart attack.
Anxiety, depression, or panic attacks: Panic attacks may cause chest pain that feels like you have a serious health problem, even though it is not life-threatening. Hyperventilation (breathing too fast) can also cause bad chest pain. People who have depression may have chest pain or heaviness.
Bone, nerve, or muscle problems: Examples include arthritis and other inflammation (swelling) problems, hard coughing, and overdoing exercise. Herpes zoster (shingles) can cause chest pain. Injuries, such as after a car accident or a blow to the chest may also cause chest pain.
Lung problems: Examples include infections (such as bronchitis), or inflammation in or around a lung. A blood clot in a lung or lung diseases may cause chest pain. Smoke or fumes can cause chest pain.
Digestive tract problems: Acid reflux, ulcers, or other stomach and throat problems may cause chest pain. Problems with too much gas in your stomach or intestines, or other digestion problems may cause chest pain. Gallbladder or pancreas problems may also cause chest pain.
Other problems: Illegal drugs, such as cocaine, can cause chest pain. You may have chest pain if you misuse certain medicines. Diseases such as lupus , and tumors (growths) in your chest or abdomen may cause chest pain.

What are signs that my chest pain may be serious? It is often hard to tell what is causing your chest pain. Even caregivers may have trouble finding the cause without doing tests. Chest pain may sometimes be caused by life-threatening health problems.

Never try to drive yourself to the hospital if you have signs of a serious health problem. Call 911 for an ambulance right away if you have chest pain with any of the following symptoms:
- You have any new chest pain that is severe, or that lasts at least 15 minutes.
- You feel lightheaded, dizzy, weak, or faint.
- You have sudden sweating for no known reason.
- You have nausea or are vomiting.
- You have new or increased trouble breathing.
- You have new or increased trouble thinking clearly or speaking.
- You have any new numbness, tingling, or loss of movement in any part of your body.
- You cough up blood.

What do I need to know about heart attacks? You may not want to admit that you are having symptoms of a heart attack. This may cause you to put off medical help. The delay in treatment can be dangerous, even life-threatening.

The signs and symptoms of a heart attack may start slowly, or they may happen suddenly. The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain, tightness, or pressure. The pain may feel crushing, tight, or heavy. The discomfort may range from mild to severe. It may spread to your neck, jaw, shoulders, back, or arm. You may feel like you are having indigestion or burning under the breast bone in your upper chest. You may also sweat, have nausea, vomit, or have trouble breathing. Your skin may be pale, cool, or clammy. You may feel lightheaded or weak.
You may not have typical chest pain or pressure. The pain may be in an unusual place, such as the right arm or lower back. Symptoms such as sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, or nausea may be the only sign of a problem. You are most likely to have unusual symptoms if you are a woman or you have diabetes. Some people who are having a heart attack may have no obvious symptoms at all. This is called a silent heart attack.

What may be done if I have chest pain? Caregivers may do tests to learn what is causing your chest pain. You may have a test called an electrocardiogram to check your heart. Blood tests and a chest x-ray may also be done. You may need tests to check your esophagus, stomach, or other organs. You may be given medicine to decrease your chest pain. You may need to go into the hospital for tests and treatment. Other tests and treatments depend on what may be causing your pain.

How can I help my caregiver find the cause of my chest pain? Keep a diary or a calendar of your chest pain. Bring this with you every time you see your caregiver. Some things to keep track of include:

What does the pain feel like? Is it dull or sharp? Does the pain stab, squeeze, crush, or feel heavy? Is it mild, moderate, or severe?
Where is the pain? Is it only in one place, or does it move to other areas, such as to your arm?
How often do you have chest pain?
How long does the pain last?
What were you doing when the pain started? Did it start during exercise, after a heavy meal, or when you were upset? Did it wake you from sleep?
Does anything make the pain worse? Does coughing, bending over, or taking a deep breath make it worse?
What helps the pain go away? Did it go away when you rested? Did taking nitroglycerin, an antacid, or an over-the-counter pain reliever help?

Wellness hints: Live a healthy lifestyle by not smoking, and by losing weight if you are overweight. Eat foods low in salt and fat, but high in fiber. Foods high in fiber include vegetables, whole grains, and fruits. Exercise three or more times a week as directed. Learn to control the amount of stress that you feel. Other lifestyle changes you may need depend on what is causing your chest pain.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

References and sources