Moreover, it may be associated with shortness of breath, cold sweats, dizziness or weakness, nausea, and vomiting.ĪCS should always be treated as an emergency.Īngina pectoris is often described as a pressure or a squeezing sensation in the chest.
If there is a complete blockage of a coronary artery, the pain may last for several hours. The pain usually lasts more than a few minutes. Sometimes there is searing pain that may radiate to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and arms, particularly the left arm. Patients with ACS typically experience pressure, fullness, or tightness in the chest. Heart Attack/ Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)/Īcute heart attack and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) are different terms used to describe the same phenomenon.ĪCS covers a range of conditions associated with a sudden obstruction of blood flow in a coronary artery. Cardiac Causes – Heart Conditions Causing Chest Pain 1. In addition, such pain is often well-localized and associated with tenderness on palpation (pushing on the spot). Pain made worse by swallowing is likely of esophageal origin.Ĭhest ache associated with body position or specific movements is likely to originate from muscles and tendons. Such pain is often left or right sided.Ĭhest pain provoked by exertion is typical of angina pectoris ( 3). The same is true for pain that is consistent over weeks to months ( 2).įurthermore, if and how the pain may be provoked is of importance.įor example, so-called pleuritic chest pain typically worsens with respiration. An abrupt onset may suggest pneumothorax and aortic dissection.Ĭhest ache that lasts only for a few seconds is unlikely to be caused by coronary artery disease. In addition, knowing the onset of pain is helpful. For example, pain due to coronary artery disease may radiate to the neck, jaw, and arms. In contrast, right or left sided chest pain often originates from the ribs or muscles and tendons in the chest cage.Ĭhest pain may also radiate to other parts of the body. Pain in the middle of the chest may be caused by heart disease or digestive disorders. The localization of the pain may also help determine its origin. In other cases, the pain may be sharp, ripping or tearing, or just a feeling of pressure, fullness, or tightness in the chest. Sometimes, there may be only a vague discomfort. The character or quality of pain is essential.
History and physical examination are of crucial importance when determining the cause of chest pain. Nowadays, all chest pain is regarded as suspected heart disease until proven otherwise.Īctually, most emergency departments have chest pain units, a fast-track service for patients with chest pain. musculoskeletal (disorders of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones).gastrointestinal (caused by digestive disorders).
It is practical to classify the underlying conditions causing chest pain into Such pain is often called musculoskeletal pain and is usually harmless.ĭigestive disorders are also a common cause of chest ache. The cause of chest pain may vary from life-threatening conditions to those that are relatively harmless.Ĭhest pain is most commonly caused by disorders of muscles, ligaments, tendons, and bones. More than six million people visit hospital emergency departments in the United States each year because of chest pain ( 1). Chest pain is a common symptom associated with a variety of underlying causes.