How to Determine if Your Chest Pain is Serious

Occasional mild chest pains can occur for various reasons and are often harmless, but how can you be sure? 

Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that over 7 million people visit emergency rooms for chest pains each year. The American Heart Association also reports that chest pain is one of the top 10 reasons for emergency room visits.

Dr. James Kim, an experienced cardiologist in National City and Chula Vista, California, understands that chest pain can be alarming. Most people know someone who has experienced heart-related issues, and unfamiliar pains near your heart can trigger fears of the worst possible scenarios.

In this article, we share Dr. Kim’s expertise on chest pain and how to determine if your symptoms require medical attention.

Causes of Chest Pain

It may be a surprise to you to learn that many medical conditions can present chest pain as a symptom. Common examples include:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Collapsed lung
• Muscle strain
• Pericarditis
• Angina
• Rib injury
• Cardiomyopathy
• Anxiety or depression
• Asthma
• Gallstones
• Stress
• Pneumonia
• Hiatal hernia
• Bronchitis
• Ulcers
• Pancreatitis

Chest pain can result from respiratory issues, muscle problems, gastrointestinal issues, and, of course, heart-related problems. Often, a thorough examination is necessary to determine the exact cause of your chest pain.

Not All Heart Issues Mean a Heart Attack

Heart-related problems, also known as cardiac issues, can occur without a heart attack. Some conditions from the previous list that are cardiac issues include:

• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the tissues around your heart.
• Cardiomyopathy: Disease of the heart muscle.
• Myocarditis: Inflammation of the heart muscle itself.

While these cardiac issues require attention, they are not as immediately life-threatening as a heart attack or other severe heart conditions. Dr. Kim may choose to treat these and other less critical cardiac problems to prevent them from worsening.

Treatment measures often include adopting a healthy diet, specific exercise regimens, maintaining a healthy weight, and potentially prescribing medications to control blood pressure or thin the blood.

When Does Chest Pain Require Immediate Attention?

There are key signs that your chest pain demands immediate medical attention, and Dr. Kim believes everyone should be aware of them. Seek immediate help if your chest pain is accompanied by:

• Dizziness
• Burning sensation around your heart
• Vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Shortness of breath
• Full feeling in your chest
• Nausea

A signature heart attack symptom is pain that radiates down one or both arms and extends to your shoulders, jaw, and back. If any of these symptoms occur with chest pain, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.

Recognizing Heart Attack Symptoms

The symptoms of a heart attack or another serious heart issue can be difficult to identify because everyone experiences these events differently. You may notice several symptoms simultaneously, while another person may only feel pressure or one specific symptom.

If you are concerned, do not hesitate to call 911 and seek immediate medical attention.

Dr. Kim can assist you in achieving and maintaining good heart health, preventing many cardiac problems. Contact our office in National City or Chula Vista, California, or request an appointment online today to start improving your heart health.