Treatment of Chest Pain

Pain in the chest may be caused by injury to, or diseaseof, the bones and soft tissues of the chest wall. It may also indicate a disorder of any organ within the chest (heart and aorta, lungs and bronchi, oesophagus, lymph glands). It may be caused by straining the chest, as when coughing or sneezing, or doing push-ups or other activities. If the chest wall has been injured, a rib may be broken and medical help should be obtained. Chest pain can be a clue to underlying coronary artery disease, but it can also be caused by noncardiac conditions, most of which are less serious. Proper attention to the quality of the pain and the factors that preceded it can be used as a tool to determine whether the origin is cardiac or not. A stress test is indicated when there is doubt.

It is important to con sult a doctor immediately if chest pain:

• is sudden in onset and severe enough to stop normal activities
• is associated with shortness of breath, weakness, palpitations or fainting
• is also felt down the left arm or in the neck, starts mildly but becomes worse over 2 hours
• follows chest or abdominal injury
• is associated with fever, persistent vomiting or spitting blood.

Chest pain is one of the most frightening symptoms you can have. It is sometimes difficult even for a doctor or other medical professional to tell what is causing chest pain and whether it is life threatening.

• Any part of the chest can cause pain in the chest, including the heart, lungs, esophagus, muscle, bone, and skin.
• Because of the complex nerve distribution in the body, chest pain may come from another part of the body.
• The stomach or other organs in the belly (abdomen), for example, can cause chest pain.

The chest pain of pneumonia occurs during prolonged or forceful coughing. See a doctor as soon as convenient if chest pain:

• is worse on deep breathing
• persists, even if it is not severe
• occurs in recurrent bouts
• disturbs sleep or interferes with normal activities
• has occurred previously because of heart, lung or stomach disease, or any other serious illness.

Major Causes of Chest Pain

• Cardiac diseases
• Musculoskeletal diseases of the chest wall, shoulders, etc.
• Gastrointestinal diseases (especially gall bladder, acid reflux, ulcer)
• Cervical arthritis or other neurological conditions

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