Why do you have chest pain

Why do you have chest pain

Chest pain is discomfort or pain that could be felt all over the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen.
Any organ or tissue can be a source of chest pain, including heart, lungs, esophagus, muscles, ribs, tendons or nerves.Angina is a type of chest pain (similar to that of a heart attack) related to the heart. This occurs when the heart does not supplied enough blood or oxygen.
Stable angina is when the pain starts in the chest when a certain intensity exercise activities. If the chest pain happens unexpectedly after light activity or occurs during rest, angina occurs insabila a more dangerous form of angina requiring emergency visit to the emergency room.

Causes
Other causes of chest pain include:

  • Asthma – accompanied by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing;
  • Pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, pneumothorax or inflammation of the lining around the lungs. In these cases, chest pain gets worse during deep breaths or coughs, being most often sharp;
  • Strain and inflammation of muscles and tendons between the ribs;
  • Anxiety and rapid breathing.

Chest pain may be related to problems of the digestive system: stomach ulcer, gallbladder disease, gallstones, indigestion, heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux.
In children, most often chest pain is not caused by heart problems.

Home Care
For treatment at home can use acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ice, heat and rest.
If a person suffers from asthma or angina will follow the treatment prescribed by your doctor to avoid crises.
Will call the emergency services if:

  • Suddenly feeling of pressure or squeezing in the chest;
  • Pain radiates to the jaw, left arm or between the shoulder bones;
  • Occurs nausea, dizziness, sweating, increased heart rate or breathing difficulties;
  • A person already knows that he suffers from angina, but chest discomfort is suddenly more intense, even with mild activity lasts longer than usual;
  • Symptoms of angina occurring at rest;
  • There is a sharp chest pain, sudden chest accompanied by shortness of breath. The risk of heart attack is amplified in the presence of a family history of heart disease, smoking, cocaine use, overweight, high cholesterol, hypertension or diabetes.

Consult your doctor if:

  • Fever or productive cough with phlegm yellow-green;
  • Chest pains that persist for more than 3-5 days.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

  • Blood tests;
  • Cardiac catheterization;
  • ECG;
  • Exercise ECG;
  • Chest X-ray.

Ways to prevent
To prevent chest pain will lead a healthy life diet:

  • Will maintain an optimal weight, normal;
  • Will constantly monitor values​​: cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes;
  • Avoid active and passive smoking;
  • Will eat a diet rich in saturated fats, hydrogenated fats and high in starch evil fruits, fiber and vegetables;
  • Will do at least 30 minutes daily of moderate intensity exercise several days a week.
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