http://www.onlinemedicinetips.com

Megan Aprile Lauren Magruder Allison Marquart Holly Robson

Sources and Evaluation of Chest Pain

Your doctor will always ask you a series of questions relating to your chest pain, providing your ability to answer at the time. An ECG, or electrocardiogram, may also be performed to determine cause of the pain. Chest x-rays are a common detection device as well to check for placement of devices and edema. The physician may also perform a stress test to observe cardiac function ability. Cardiac catheterizations are a more in-depth device that requires local anesthesia and gathers information about how your heart is functioning.

About 42% of our population experiences heartburn in their lifetime. This is a digestive from of chest pain. Heartburn is caused by stomach acid building up in the esophagus. Contrary to popular belief, heartburn actually does not directly deal with your heart! Heartburn is a burning sensation in your chest that usually occurs after meals or at night. The pain may increase when laying down or bending over. Antacids may be used to neutralize the stomach acid. Prescribed medications may be ordered to decrease the amount of stomach acid. 

What tests will my doctor perform on me?

Heartburn

What are the most common causes?

Where is my chest pain coming from?

Let’s be honest, the first thing the majority of us associate chest pain with is a heart attack. About every 34 seconds, someone in the United States experiences a heart attack. However, the good news is that you can take preventative measures in your lifestyle to reduce your chances of experiencing a heart attack. But first, let’s go back to the basics.
What is it?
A heart attack is essentially when your heart is not receiving enough oxygen-rich blood flow. 
What are the signs?
Unfortunately, heart attacks are not always as recognizable as they are in movies. However, there are some key signs to recognizing what is happening. The most prominent is chest discomfort in the form of squeezing, intense pressure, fullness, or pain. The discomfort can also radiate to other parts of the body such as arms, neck, back, jaw, or stomach. Shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness also are a few warning signs.
What should I do if I am experiencing these signs?
Call 911 immediately. Time is key in this situation. Ambulance personnel are trained to begin treatment immediately and even revive a stopped heart. Also, the ER is likely to tend to someone coming in via ambulance.

Heart Attack

What is it?
Pulmonary embolism is where one or more arteries in your lungs become blocked.
Am I at risk?
This condition can happen to anyone. However, increased risk factors include: immobility, old age, family history, recent surgery, certain cancers, smoking, obesity, and supplemental estrogen.
What are the signs?
The most common signs include shortness of breath, chest pain, and cough. However, other signs include wheezing, leg swelling, clammy skin, perspiration, irregular or rapid heart beat, weak pulse, or dizziness.
What should I do if I feel I am experiencing a pulmonary embolism?
This condition is very serious and life threatening. If you are experiencing the above symptoms, call 911 immediately. 

Pulmonary Embolism

Unfortunately, we are not born experts on chest pain and related conditions. There are many common questions asked by regular people on a daily basis. These common questions will be addressed in this section.

What are ways to reduce my risk for heart conditions related to chest pain?
There are many ways to reduce your risks. Here is a simple list of ABCs to help you remember your risks.
Avoid Tobacco
Become More Active
Choose Good Nutrition
Is all chest pain a heart attack?
No. The most common form of chest pain is actually angina. This is caused by the same deficiency of oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart, however it does not do permanent damage and is usually quickly resolved. However, if lasting more than 15 minutes, angina can lead to a heart attack. 
How can I stop heartburn before it happens?
The easiest way to prevent heartburn is to watch what kinds of food you eat, while paying attention to the time of day as well. Limiting your alcohol intake and avoiding smoking also help prevent heartburn. Watching your weight

Frequently Asked Questions