Chest Pain Doctor
Risk Factors and Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore – Your heart is one hard-working muscle, beating more than 100,000 times a day. It’s important to take preventive care of this crucial organ. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States and worldwide.
You experience chest pain. Chest pain is one of the hallmark signs of a heart problem. While there are other causes of chest pain that are not related to the heart, chest pressure that occurs or worsens with activity is particularly concerning, as it can be a sign that the heart may not be getting enough blood. A cardiologist can help determine the cause and the appropriate treatment plan. Chest pain can also be a sign of a heart attack, which is a life-threatening emergency. Know the signs and call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack. Remember that signs can be different for men and women. You have high blood pressure, Blood pressure is the force of the blood pushing against the artery walls. Chronically elevated blood pressure causes the heart to work harder to circulate blood, and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. You have shortness of breath, palpitations or dizziness. A cardiologist can determine if a heart condition is the cause. These symptoms may be a sign of abnormal heart rhythm or coronary artery disease. You have diabetes. There is a strong correlation between cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Poorly controlled blood sugar affects how your blood vessels function and greatly increases your risk for developing coronary artery disease. A cardiologist can work with your primary care physician and help determine what treatment or prevention strategies can lower your risk. You have a history of smoking. Smoking is one of the major preventable risk factors for heart disease and can contribute to high blood pressure and cancer risk. Get tips on quitting, You have a history of high cholesterol. Cholesterol is a fatty substance found in a number of foods, and is also made by your liver. High cholesterol can contribute to plaque in the arteries. One of the ways you can lower your cholesterol is by eating a healthy diet. Your physician may prescribe medications to treat cholesterol that also help to lower your risk of heart attack. Talk to your cardiologist about heart-healthy foods and monitoring your cholesterol to reduce chances of heart disease. You have chronic kidney disease. If your kidneys don’t function properly, your risk for heart disease increases, Kidney disease is tied to high blood pressure and arterial disease. A cardiologist can discuss how your condition affects your heart and help you reduce your risk for heart disease. You have a family history of heart disease. Certain types of heart disease can be genetic. If a relative has had early-onset heart disease (under age 55 in men and 65 in women), then a cardiologist can help determine how this affects your risk, and may order testing or recommend preventive strategies. You have peripheral arterial disease. Arteries are the blood vessels that deliver oxygen-rich blood from your heart to the rest of your body. If you have known disease in other arteries, such as the leg arteries or the large blood vessels to the brain (carotid arteries), you are more likely to also have coronary artery disease. A cardiologist can discuss whether other testing is warranted as well as treatment options. You’re inactive and planning to start an exercise routine. Exercise has a number of health benefits, and plays a key role in the prevention and treatment of heart disease. However, certain heart conditions can make exercise unsafe. If you’re considering a new workout regime after being inactive, or have a number of the risk factors for heart disease as listed above, you should consult your physician first. One marathon runner credits this step with saving his life.
If you have any of these symptoms or risk factors, it could be time to see a cardiologist. Northwestern Medicine Bluhm Cardiovascular Institute offers comprehensive cardiovascular clinical programs in Chicago and the suburbs.
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Can cardiologist treat chest pain?
What does a cardiologist do? – A cardiologist is a healthcare provider who can treat chest pain, high blood pressure and heart failure, as well as problems with your heart valves, blood vessels and other heart and vascular issues. They can order tests like electrocardiograms, echocardiograms and CTs (computed tomography) to find out what’s wrong.
With their diagnosis, they can order medicine, help you start healthier exercise and eating habits or do cardiac catheterization. A cardiologist will do a physical exam and discuss your symptoms, medical history and family history with you. It’s important to let your cardiologist know if other people in your family have had heart problems because that can increase the chances of you having a heart problem.
Some basic information can give your cardiologist valuable information about your cardiovascular health, such as your:
Weight. Blood pressure, Cholesterol levels. Blood glucose (sugar) levels,
Your provider will look at all of this information and any test results to figure out your risk factors for heart problems. They’ll also want to know if you smoke, how much you exercise, what you eat and which medicines you’re taking.
How do doctors rule out chest pain?
Blood tests check the level of cardiac troponins. Troponin levels can help doctors tell unstable angina from heart attacks. Your doctor may also check levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar, and proteins in your blood. Chest X-ray looks for lung disorders and other causes of chest pain not related to heart disease.
When should I see a GP for chest pain?
Immediate action required: Phone 999 immediately if: central chest pain or discomfort in the chest that doesn’t go away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing. pain that radiates down the left arm, or both arms, or to the neck, jaw, back or stomach. unconsciousness. seizures or fitting.
At what point is chest pain a concern?
How do I know if my chest pain is serious? – If you have chest pain that lasts longer than five minutes and doesn’t go away when you rest or take medication, get immediate help. Call 911, your local emergency services number or have someone take you to the closest emergency room (ER) right away.
Sweating. Nausea or vomiting. Shortness of breath. Light-headedness or fainting, A rapid or irregular heartbeat, Pain in your back, jaw, neck, upper abdomen, arm or shoulder.
Is chest pain ever not serious?
Chest pain takes many different forms. From an ongoing dull ache to sharp pains that come and go, experiencing chest pain can make you worry that you’re having a heart attack. While chest pain can indicate a heart attack, there are lots of other possible causes, and they’re not all life-threatening.
Which Dr is best for chest pain?
Best Doctors for Chest Pain in Bangalore
| Doctor’s Name | Clinic Fees | Lybrate Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Raheja Fortis Hospital | ₹ 900 | 93% |
| Dr. A Naga Srinivaas | ₹ 700 | 93% |
| Dr. Pavankumar P Rasalkar | ₹ 600 | 91% |
| Dr. Kumar B | ₹ 500 | 89% |
What does alarming chest pain feel like?
Heart-related chest pain – Chest pain is often associated with heart disease. But many people with heart disease say they have a mild discomfort that they wouldn’t really call pain. Chest discomfort due to a heart attack or another heart problem may feel like:
Pressure, fullness, burning or tightness in the chest. Crushing or searing pain that spreads to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms. Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity. Shortness of breath. Cold sweats. Dizziness, lightheadedness or weakness. Racing heartbeats. Nausea or vomiting.
How often is chest pain serious?
Symptoms that mean it’s not a heart attack – Sometimes, chest pain doesn’t signal a heart attack. A study of emergency room visits found that less than 6% of people arriving with chest pain had a life-threatening heart issue. That doesn’t necessarily mean there’s no cause for alarm, but there are ways to exclude a heart attack if you’re not at high risk for having one.
- Your pain or discomfort is momentary.
- Your pain is isolated to one small area.
- Your pain gets worse or better when you reposition your body.
If you have sudden, sharp, momentary chest discomfort that lasts fewer than a couple minutes, it could result from:
- An injury such as broken or bruised ribs,
- A pulled muscle in your chest wall.
- Inflammation in your rib cartilage.
- Fibromyalgia,
- Shingles,
If you have a piercing pain in your chest that gets worse when you move around or take deep breaths, it’s not likely a heart attack, but it could be a lung-related issue caused by a number of conditions, including:
- Pneumonia or some other infection.
- Inflammation in the lining of your lungs ( pleurisy ).
- A blood clot in your lungs.
- An asthma attack.
And while these lung issues aren’t heart attacks, they’re concerning enough to warrant a call to a healthcare provider or a visit to an emergency room if symptoms don’t go away on their own or grow worse.
Is it OK to ignore chest pain?
When you’re experiencing any chest pain, don’t delay in seeking medical care. Trying to diagnose yourself and delaying a visit to the emergency room can result in serious heart damage or even death, risks that can be avoided or limited when you seek immediate medical care. Always play it safe and call 911.
Is it normal to have chest pain everyday?
Share on Pinterest Chest pain that comes and goes might be due to a heart problem or respiratory or digestive issues. Pain in the chest that comes and goes may signal a problem with the heart, respiratory system, or digestion. Also, in some people, it occurs during panic attacks,
- There is no way to accurately self-diagnose chest pain based on symptoms alone.
- See a doctor if chest pain keeps coming back, gets worse, or accompanies other symptoms.
- Pain that lasts for weeks or months is unlikely to be caused by a life-threatening emergency.
- The issue is more likely related to the muscles or skeletal structure.
Heart problems are less likely to cause pain that:
lasts for only a few momentsis relieved by taking medicationgoes away when taking a deep breathonly affects a specific point on the chestis relieved when the area of the chest is massaged
Many types of chest pain come and go. Even the pain of a heart attack may temporarily get better, then return. To better understand the cause of chest pain, look carefully for other symptoms, and keep in mind any risk factors for medical conditions. Below are common causes of chest pain:
Should I worry about chest pain that comes and goes?
Breast-feeding – This can lead to pain in the chest and around the breasts. The following factors may be responsible:
enlargement of the breaststhe let-down reflexmastitishearing a baby cry
Some people experience breast or nipple pain as the body adjusts in the first few weeks of breast-feeding. If the pain is mild and comes and goes, waiting it out is fine. Talk to a doctor if the pain is intense or lasts for several weeks. Share on Pinterest People who have a history of heart disease might experience heart-related chest pain more often than others.
cardiovascular risk factorsa history of heart disease shortness of breathpain that does not improve with medication or massagepain that gets worse over time
Heart issues are unlikely to cause chest pain that:
improves with massage or painkillersfeels similar to earlier pain that was not heart-relatedoccurs with symptoms of problems unrelated to the heart
A doctor should evaluate any recurring chest pain. If the pain keeps coming back, see a doctor within a few days. Chest pain that disappears may have been caused by a minor infection, a muscle spasm, or a similar issue. Seek emergency medical care if the pain is:
intense and does not go awaygetting gradually worseaccompanied by dizziness, trouble breathing, or shortness of breathaccompanied by a squeezing or crushing sensation in the center of the chestlasting for more than a few minutes
Most chest pain is not caused by a heart attack. However, prompt medical care can be lifesaving. Even when the cause is a minor issue, seeking immediate care can eliminate any anxiety, Only a doctor can accurately identify the cause of chest pain, so it is essential to seek a diagnosis. Read the article in Spanish.
