Heart Pain: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Best Treatment Options
Introduction
Heart pain, often described as chest discomfort or angina, is an alarming symptom, often prompting fears about heart disease. But not all chest pain is from heart problems. This can allow the individual to take the necessary action for their health. This article delves into heart pain, covering its causes, symptoms, tests, treatment and prevention.
Understanding Heart Pain
Chest pain is defined as any type of ache or pain that can feel as mild as discomfort in the chest or as severe as a tightening of the chest. It can feel like pressure, tightness, burning or sharp pain, and can radiate to the arms, neck, jaw or upper back.
Common Causes of Heart Pain
The causes of heart pain are divided into cardiac (heart-related) and non-cardiac.
1. Heart-Related Causes
A. Coronary artery disease
CAD is a common criminal behind heart pain. This occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the arteries are compressed due to plaque build -up. This narrowness reduces the supply of oxygen to the heart muscle, which can cause angina.
B. Heart infarction (heart attack)
A heart attack occurs when an obstacle in the coronary arteries prevents oxygen -rich blood from reaching the heart tissue. This can cause acute breast pain and can even damage the heart muscle. Common symptoms include breast pain, severe sweat, nausea and difficulty breathing.c. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammation of the protective bag around the heart (pericardium), which causes sharp, and stings pain that can be laid down or elaborated as you breathe.
D. aortic dissection
The aortic dissection is a serious condition where the inner layer of the aorta throws tears, causing severe chest pain that can increase on the back. This requires immediate medical intervention.
E. Heart valve disorder
Conditions such as aortic stenosis or mitral valve prolapes can cause breast pain due to incorrect blood flow and increase the stress of the heart.
2. Non-Heart-Related Causes
A. Gastroosophhageal reflux Disease (Gerd)
Sour reflux can cause chest irritation, often wrong for heart pain.
B. Muscle and skeletal problems
Pain in the chest can also be caused by inflammation of the stressful muscles or ribbacks (coastalochondritis), causing discomfort that is not connected to the heart.
C. lung position
Diseases such as pneumonia, lung and pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs) can cause pain in the breast similar to heartbeat discomfort.
D. angry attacks and anxiety
Emotional crisis can trigger the breast density, rapid breathing and coordination, mimic heartbeat pain.
Symptoms of Heart Pain
Identifying whether chest pain is due to cardiovascular problem or other cause of timely medical care is necessary.
• Symptoms that indicate heart problems:
- Press or breast -pressing feeling
- House weapons, jaws or upper back
- Difficulty breathing
- cold sweat
- Dizziness or unconsciousness
- nausea or vomiting
Symptoms will probably not be related to the heart:
- Pain that destroys with movement or deep breathing
- Burning breast feeling, are often connected to Gerd
- Located tenderness when pressing your chest
- Symptoms associated with anxiety or nervousness attacks
Diagnosing Heart Pain
It is necessary to determine an intensive evaluation of breast pain is related to a severe heart disease. Doctors can use the following methods:
1. Medical history and physical examination
A physician will undergo lifestyle factors, family medical history and any risk factor such as high cholesterol, diabetes or smoking.
2. Electrocardiogram (ECG/ECG)
This test records the electrical activity of the heart and helps identify irregularities such as a heart attack or arrhythmia.
3. Blood test
Heart enzyme tests measure markers such as troponin, indicating damage to the heart muscle.
4. X -ray of the chest
An X -ray of the chest helps to assess lung conditions that can cause chest pain.
5. Echocardiograms
An ultrasound of the heart provides images to evaluate the heart structure and function.
6. Voltage test
A stress test examines heart function during physical exertion to detect potential coronary artery disease.
7. Coronary angiography
A coronary angiogram uses dye and x -ray to detect arterial obstacles.
Treatment options for heart pain
The approach to dealing with heart pain depends on the underlying cause.
1. Medications
• Nitroglycerin: helps the blood vessels relax and improve the blood flow to the heart.
• Aspirin: Reduces the formation of blood clots during a heart attack.
• Beta blockers and ACE inhibitors: Check blood pressure and reduce the stress of the heart.
• Antacida or proton pump inhibitor: Add chest pain related to sour reflux.
2. Lifestyle adjustment
• a balanced diet in unhealthy fat and rich in fiber
• attached to regular physical activity
• Avoid smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
• Handling stress with relaxation techniques such as yoga or meditation
3. Surgical and traditional processes
• Angioplasty and stent placement: CAD is used to open compressed arteries.
• Damage surgery: Make an alternative passage for blood to bypass blocked arteries.
• Repair or heart valve replacement: The valve treats disorders.
• Emergency surgery for aortic dissection: a life savings process when needed.
Heartache and heart disease
Prevention plays an important role in reducing the risk of heart -related chest pain. Here are the necessary preventive measures:
• Adopt a nutritious diet: prefer fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
• Exercise regularly: Dimensions for a minimum of 150 minutes of moderate physical activity each week.
• Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol: Regular screening and medication (if prescribed) help maintain heart health.
• Manage diabetes effectively: Remember the level of blood sugar reduces the risk of heart disease.
• Reduce stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation and deep breathing exercises
When looking for immediate medical help
Heart pain can sometimes indicate a life -threatening emergency that requires immediate care. If you are experiencing, get instant medical help:
• suddenly, acute chest pain
• Radiation on the left hand, jaw or back
• Breathing difficulty with dizziness
• to lose consciousness
• a sense of overhanging downfall
Conclusion
Heart pain can trunks due to various causes, some of which are life -threatening. It is important to identify symptoms, be timely attention and maintain lifestyle changes to maintain heart health. If you experience persistent or severe chest pain, it is always the safest course of action.