Chest pain: What's it, causes, symptoms, diagnostics, treatment, prevention

Ribcage pain; Pain – ribcage

Chest pain: What's it?

Chest pain is a common symptom, which can be caused by various medical conditions. This pain can manifest itself in varying degrees of intensity., character and location. It is important to understand, that chest pain may be a sign of a minor problem, and serious conditions, requiring medical intervention.

Causes of chest pain

Chest pain can have a variety of causes:

• Heart Disease: Sore throat, myocardial infarction, pericarditis and other heart problems can cause chest pain or discomfort.
• Lung disease: Pneumonia, pleurisy, bronchitis and other lung conditions can cause pain when breathing or coughing.
• Digestive disorders: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gastric ulcer, pancreatitis and other digestive problems can cause chest pain.
• Muscular and skeletal problems: Crick, osteocondritis of the spine, rib injuries and other muscle and bone problems can cause pain.
• Psychological factors: Stress, anxiety and panic attacks can also cause a feeling of pain or pressure in the chest.

Symptoms of chest pain

Symptoms of chest pain can vary depending on the cause.:

• acute pain: Acute, stabbing or burning pain may indicate heart problems, lung disease or muscle injury.
• pressure or tightness: A feeling of pressure or tightness in the chest may be associated with a sore throat or a heart attack.
• Pain when breathing: Pain when taking a deep breath or coughing can be a sign of lung or pleural disease..
• Associated symptoms: These may include shortness of breath, Sweating, nausea or vomiting.

When to see a doctor

If you have chest pain, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms, such as shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, feeling of pressure in the chest, Seek immediate medical attention or call an ambulance. It is especially important to seek help, if you have a history of heart problems or other medical conditions, that can make the situation worse.

Questions, which the doctor may ask

Your doctor may ask you the following questions to more accurately determine the cause of your chest pain:

• What is the nature of the pain? Describe the pain: sharp, blunt, stabbing, burning?
• When the pain came? Was it related to physical activity, stress or other factors?
• Associated symptoms: Is there shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, loss of consciousness?
• Are there any medical conditions: Have you had heart problems before, lung disease or other diseases?

Diagnosis of chest pain

To determine the cause of chest pain, the doctor may order the following tests:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG): Allows you to evaluate the electrical activity of the heart and detect abnormalities.
• Echocardiography: Used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart.
• Chest X-ray: Helps identify diseases of the lungs or pleura.
• CT scan (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRT): Allows you to study the structures of the chest in more detail.
• Laboratory tests: May include complete blood count, biochemical parameters and markers of cardiac problems.

Treating chest pain

Treatment for chest pain depends on its cause.:

• heart problems: Depending on the diagnosis, the doctor may prescribe medication to stabilize the heart rhythm., improve blood supply to the heart or lower blood pressure.
• Pulmonary diseases: Treatment may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs or other drugs to treat a specific condition.
• Diseases of the digestive system: Changing your diet, medications to reduce stomach acid and other approaches may be recommended.
• Muscular and skeletal problems: Peace, Physiotherapy, pain relief ointments and exercise can help relieve pain.
• Psychotherapy: In case of psychological factors, consultation with a psychotherapist or psychiatrist may be helpful.

Home Treatment

Home treatment may include:

• Rest and avoidance of physical activity, which can make the pain worse.
• Applying ice to the area of ​​pain to reduce inflammation (with muscle strain).
• Taking painkillers on the advice of a doctor.
• Following Diet and Lifestyle Recommendations for Digestive Problems.

Prevention

To prevent chest pain,:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle: proper nutrition, physical activity, smoking cessation and moderate alcohol consumption.
• Regularly undergo medical examinations to detect possible diseases in the early stages.
• Follow the doctor's recommendations for chronic diseases, to manage risk.

Avoid self-medication and be sure to see a doctor for chest pain, especially if it lasts for a long time, is intense or accompanied by other symptoms. Only a qualified medical specialist can accurately determine the cause of the pain and prescribe the necessary treatment..

Used sources and literature

Jones H, Reynolds JH. Thoracic trauma and related topics. In: Adam A, Dixon AK, Gillard JH, Schaefer-Prokop CM, eds. Grainger & Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 10.

Tzelepis GE, Gartman E.J, McCool FD. The respiratory system and chest wall diseases. In: Broaddus VC, Serious JD, King TE, et al, eds. Murray and Nadel’s Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 98.