Primary care comes into play as soon as an individual feels pain in the chest. As a matter of fact, several types of pain could occur in the chest. Some feel like a piercing stab and other doesn’t ache much. At times pain comes in a serious form, like a burning feeling.
However, there are situations when pain travels from the chest to the jaw or neck. Then from there, it travels to both arms. Chest pain occurs due to several reasons. The moment it involves lunges of the heart, chances of becoming fatal increase. That is the solemn reason for seeing primary care near me (as in you).
Symptoms of Chest Pain
Chest pain is a primary source of different sensations. Each type however may trigger different symptoms. The pain is not always related to the heart though. That’s why it is much needed to see a consultant.
Chest Pain and Relation to Heart
It is true that many times, chest pain is directly linked to heart diseases. However, it is not true that this case is prevalent in every situation. There are conditions in which patients feel constant discomfort and can’t be spotted as chest pain.
Following are some of the symptoms which are directly or indirectly linked to heart problems.
- Breath shortness
- Vomiting or nausea
- Searing pain that travels to the back, shoulders, both arms, neck, and jaw
- Cold sweats
- Fullness, tightness, or pressure in the chest
- Weakness or dizziness
- Pain that remains the same for more than 2 to 3 minutes.
- Chest pain aggravates with the slightest activity
- Chest pain starts remains for a few minutes, goes away – cycle repeats
Types of Chest Pain
Primary care physician tends to diagnose the health concern based on the type of chest pain. It is however pretty critical to diagnose the problem accurately. Following are some types of chest pain that are not really due to heart concerns.
- Trouble in swallowing
- Pain remains present for more than one hour
- Tender chest – noticed by pushing the chest
- Sensation when food enters the mouth
- Intensified pain when the patient coughs or takes a deep breath
- Sour taste
- Increase or decrease in the intensity of pain at the time of changing position
Heartburn is one of the most common symptoms of chest pain. It is indeed one of the most painful sensations. Mostly coupled with burning right behind the breastbone. Heartburn is mostly connected with stomach or heart problems.
Consultancy with Doctor
It is best to consult a primary care provider in an ER in case of suspecting a heart attack. The need to see a primary care doctor is also vital when an inexplicable chest pain remains present for more than half an hour. We know that there could be several causes that need medical assistance.
Chest Pain and Serious Causes
1: Causes Related to Heart Conditions
Angina, heart attack, pericarditis, and aortic dissection are some of the serious examples of chest pain.
- Angina
When and if blood isn’t flown to the heart, it causes pain. This sort of pain is severe and termed “angina”. How does it occur? Mainly when inside walls of arteries store thick plaques, they carry blood to the heart. It is because the plaques make the arteries narrower and they don’t allow the regular blood supply. The irregular blood flow during exertion is at times becomes the source of angina.
- Heart Attack
The blocked flow of blood is the primary reason for a heart attack. The source of clogged blood is mostly blood clots.
- Pericarditis
There is a sac that surrounds the heart. If there is inflammation in the sac then it usually causes sharp pain. Sadly, the pain excruciating at the time of lying down or inhaling air for breathing.
- Aortic Dissection
This is a critical condition. It occurs when the inner layers of blood vessels separate. Reason being, the blood is constrained between the aorta and layers (resulting in the aorta causing fissures).
2: Lung Associated Causes
Several reasons could cause chest pain. It is the primary care provider’s job to find out the real diagnosis based on symptoms. Lung-related causes for chest pain are mentioned below.
- Collapsed lung: pain because of this reason starts without any reason, suddenly. It goes on for hours. The main reason for collapsed lungs is the shortening of breath.
- Pulmonary embolism: the moment a blood clot gets stuck in the pulmonary artery it blocks the blood flow. It causes low circulation of blood in the lung. Pain occurs because of this reason too.
- Pulmonary hypertension: high BP (blood pressure) while carrying blood to the lungs can also cause chest pain.
- Pleurisy: inflammation in the lung membrane causes chest pain. This pain increases when you cough or inhale.
3: Bone & Muscle Causes
Besides other types of causes, bone fractures and muscle spasms are also the reason for chest pain. This kind of pain is associated with injuries in the structure of the chest wall. Following kinds of pains are directly linked to muscle spasms or bone fractures.
- Injured ribs: broken or bruised ribs can become the reason for chest pain.
- Costochondritis: inflammation on the cartilage of the ribs (that joins breastbone and ribs) occurs and causes pain.
- Sore or inflamed muscles: persistent pain causes inflamed or sore muscles. Fibromyalgia, the chronic pain condition is also the reason for tender muscles.
4: Digestive Causes
Digestive concerns and disorders have the tendency to produce chest pain. Some of the digestive concerns are mentioned below.
- Swallowing disorder: when someone is diagnosed with esophagus disorders, swallowing becomes way harder for the patient. If it moves on to the next level, pain becomes hard to bear.
- Heartburn: pain right behind the breastbone with burning sensation takes place there isn’t much of stomach acid. It not only washes up but also connects the throat to the stomach.
- Pancreas problems: soreness or inflammation on gallstones or gallbladder can become a prominent source of pain. The pain is such which radiates to the chest.
5: Other Important Causes
Other variants of chest pain that can help in diagnosis by primary care staff are mentioned below.
- Shingles: when chickenpox reactivates, shingles are formed. It produces chest pain. There are high chances of getting blisters on the chest wall and back.
- Panic attacks: panic attacks are mainly when you experience pangs of intensified fear. It is mostly coupled with chest pain, nausea, palpitation, shortening of breath, extremely fast breathing, excessive sweating, dizziness, and fear of death or dying. In such conditions, remember you are going through a panic attack and chest pain is pretty common in such situations.