The Many Causes of Chest Pain

The general rule of thumb is to seek immediate medical attention if you have chest pain. After all, it’s a common warning sign of a heart attack and other dangerous cardiovascular health issues. However, many other issues can cause chest pain. 

At Upper East Side Cardiology, Satjit Bhusri, MD, FACC, our highly trained and experienced cardiologist, diagnoses the cause of chest pain and offers personalized treatment plans to restore your health and relieve your symptoms. Chest pain is a common complaint, and Dr. Bhusri works with you to improve your overall cardiovascular health, reducing your risk of cardiovascular disease.

Chest pain ranges in severity and has many potential causes, much like other types of physiological discomfort. For example, there’s a tremendous difference between the burning chest pain caused by heartburn and the crushing chest pain of a heart attack. 

So, how can you tell the difference between immense, spicy meal-induced heartburn and a severe heart problem?

Dr. Bhusri wants you to understand the different causes of chest pain and provides some guidance on when your chest pain is likely nothing to worry about versus when you should head straight to the emergency room. Because heart issues are so serious, it’s best not to take any chances. 

About chest pain 

Chest pain has many potential causes, including minor issues, such as indigestion, to life-threatening emergencies like a heart attack. Chest pain also ranges from mild to severe and can last for minutes or hours.

Patients might describe their chest pain as:

• Aching
• Burning
• Crushing
• Dull
• Sharp
• Squeezing
• Stabbing

 Although chest pain is often associated with heart issues, it can be related to problems in other parts of your body like your stomach, lungs, and intestines. Chest pain can also cause radiating pain in your neck, jaw, and arms. Left arm pain, for example, is a common sign of a heart attack.

Chest pain causes

Chest pain stems from various issues, but the most serious cases often deal with the lungs and heart. Some common causes of chest pain include:

• Angina
• Collapsed lung
• Heart attack
• Heartburn 
• Hypertension
• Injured ribs
• Pericarditis
• Pulmonary embolism
• Sore muscles 

Even stress can cause chest pain. It’s also a common symptom of anxiety and panic attacks. Many people think they’re having a heart attack when they have a panic attack because of their chest pain, rapid breathing, and shortness of breath. 

Chest pain diagnosis

If you experience sudden, severe chest pain with shortness of breath and dizziness, seek immediate medical help. However, if you have concerns about your heart health or have worrisome symptoms, contact us to schedule a consultation. Dr. Bhusri uses comprehensive exams and state-of-the-art diagnostic tools and techniques to identify the cause of your chest pain. 

Following your exam, Dr. Bhusri might order additional testing to evaluate your heart health and activity, including:

• Electrocardiogram
• Holter monitoring
• Echocardiogram
• Stress test

Once Dr. Bhusri knows the root cause of your pain, he creates a personalized treatment plan to address the underlying cause of your symptoms. The sooner you have a comprehensive evaluation, the more quickly you’ll have the diagnosis and treatment you need. 

Don’t ignore chest pain or other signs of cardiovascular health problems. For a thorough evaluation, contact our office in the Upper East Side of New York City to schedule an appointment today.