Chest pain may or may not be a heart condition. Is chest pain a heart condition? It depends on the symptoms that you are having. Chest pain can be of various types and not necessarily be heart-related every time.

There can be different reasons for chest pain, but mainly chest pain is caused by hearts and lungs. Chest pain can even be life-threatening, so it is important to visit a doctor immediately if you have any symptoms.

If you have chest pain and are not sure whether it is heart-related or due to any other reasons, look out for these symptoms.

Heart-related chest pain

Chest pain is one of the major symptoms of being heart disease. Angina is the pain in the chest, which happens when muscles in your heart don’t receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a symptom of heart disease, and there can be different reasons for this.

There are different types of angina or chest pain related to heart, they are

• Stable Angina
• Unstable Angina
• Variant Angina
• Microvascular Angina

Symptoms for heart-related chest pain

The symptoms for heart-related chest pain are as follows

• Pressure and tightness in the chest area.
• Finding it hard to breathe or shortness in breath
• Weakness and or dizziness
• Vomiting
• Pain that comes and goes also increases in intensity while doing any work
• Nausea
• Cold sweats
• Unbearable pain from your back, jaw, and shoulders
• Pain in both arms.

Treatment

If you have chest pain and the above symptoms are visible, then talk to a doctor. The doctor will prescribe you the following tests for the confirmation.

• Chest x-ray
• Coronary Angiography and Cardiac Catheterization
• Computed Tomography Angiography
• And some blood tests

After the doctor confirms that you have a heart-related issue and there is chest pain, there are different treatment procedures that can be used for the treatment. Some of the treatment procedures include

• Cardiac procedures
• Cardiac Rehab
• Medicines

The doctor may even prescribe you to maintain a healthy lifestyle by doing exercises and keeping a healthy diet. Other than that, sometimes physiotherapy is best to reduce the pain and treatment.

Symptoms that your chest pain is not heart-related

Now there are a number of possibilities that chest pain you have may not be heart-related. If you want to make sure that it is not heart related then lookout for the following symptoms

• While breathing or coughing there is a sharp knife in the chest
• Sudden pain in the chest but only lasts for a few seconds
• Pain in just one side of the body.
• Whenever you press the area, then only you feel pain.
• Pain in the chest that lost for long-duration even for days, but there are no other symptoms.

Even though the chest pain that you have may or may not be heart-related, but you must consult the doctor immediately. Even if you’re sure that it is not a heart attack, make sure to do all the necessary check-ups and have it checked out.

Chest pains of any sort can be terrifying. In the middle of the night if such ain occurs the fright is indeed nerve-racking. You may think you are having a heart attack. In such a situation one should immediately seek medical help without any delay.  Chest pains can lead to many severe issues like heart attacks. It’s at times that can cause even breathing problems where the person is unable to breathe properly and there is a strictness felt at the chest. Chest pains are never in one’s own hand and hence it cannot be controlled. However sometimes from severe gastritis too the pain can occur. However, it is not a serious thing as it subsides after some time. However, one should at all times know, when the chest pain is to be considered as a serious issue.

Anxiety:

Stress and anxiety can be a prevalent reason that might lead to chest pain. The stress hormones produced by the body are constantly combatted by the body. This system can catalyze ongoing chest pain. So if you are in some kind of tension and face a chest pain be assured that it is due to the situational difficulties and not a sign of upcoming heart attack. Take this as a warning sign to reduce anxiety.

Angina pectoris:

For instance, after a heavy workout session you feel that uneasy chest pain. This can be an alarming sign. Chest pains may be a signal of clogged arteries. This can happen due to severe pressure temperatures as well. In case you feel the pain is clustered with the range of your breastbone then do not forget to ask your doctor to check for angina.

Costochondritis:

This reason for chest pains is indeed due to joints inflammation in your chest. The warning sign could be traced in case you cough or sneeze and the pain sensation ceases and doubles. The breastbone area will feel heavy and constricted. At times even taking a deep breath can be an extremely challenging task. Anti-inflammatory pain medication or warmth might alleviate this pain sensation. This problem usually goes away on its own. Ask your physician to check you.

Periconditis:

Chest pains may also of a different kind of swelling that occurs at the edge of the lining of the heart.

Musculoskeletal:

Sometimes too much muscle strain can lead to chest pain as well. Heavy exercise or twists can be the root cause of this pain. Only when you touch the chest is when you can feel the pain. Although it is not as serious as the others, still it requires medical assistance.

Acid reflux:

This is probably the most common reason for chest pain. Acid reflux, or more conventionally known as heartburn gives rise to a burning pain sensation in the chest area. The pain is not a continuous one though.

So the next time you have chest pain try to locate the affected area or the duration.

Dr. Gaurav Singhal is one of the most Heart care specialist doctor in Jaipur who has vast experience in Heart Care Disease prevention & treatment. He has done more than 2000 Angiography. Dr. Gaurav is providing chest pain treatment in Jaipur at Hridyam heart care clinic.