When to be concerned about chest pain

Dr Douglas Street, Contributor

When most persons have chest pain, the first thing that comes to mind is a heart attack, so they seek medical attention hastily. Of course, there are many causes of chest pain other than a heart attack, and as a matter of fact, a heart attack is a very uncommon cause. One of the most common causes of chest pain is a condition called costochondritis.

It is thought to be caused by inflammation of the area where the cartilage of the rib joins the bone, which occurs at the front of the chest. The pain is usually sharp on either side of the chest and worsened by breathing and movement of the arms. The pain usually lasts for a few seconds or minutes and may come and go. It is fairly common in young persons. The pain of muscular strain is similar, but the pain usually lasts longer and the area is usually tender.

Another common cause of chest pain is gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD). The pain caused by GERD is usually a burning pain that moves from the upper abdomen up to the chest. It is brought on by having foods and/or drinks that irritate.

Heart attack pains

The pain from a heart attack feels like a heavy load on the chest and may spread to the neck and/or left arm. Along with the pain, one may experience nausea, sweating, weakness, racing of the heart, and a feeling of dread.

The pain from angina is similar, but this pain usually settles either with rest or on its own. Both conditions are caused by inadequate supply of blood to the heart muscle, but in angina, there is no damage to the heart, whereas in a heart attack there is damage.

Pulmonary embolism is another important cause of chest pain. In this condition, a large clot has moved from a distant location, lodging in a major vessel of the lung, obstructing the flow of blood through the lung. This can prevent the blood from collecting adequate oxygen from the lung and may even cause sudden death. It usually causes shortness of breath as well.

There are many other causes of chest pain, but a doctor's approach to assessing it involves checking for the more serious possibilities like a heart attack.

Dr Douglas Street is a general practitioner and has private practices at Trinity Medical Centre, Trinity Mall at 3 Barnett Street in Montego Bay, and Omega Medical Centre at Plaza de Negril, Negril. Send feedback to drdougstreet@yahoo.com.