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Chest discomfort

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Chest discomfort, often referred to as chest pain or tightness, can manifest in various forms, ranging from a dull ache to sharp, stabbing sensations. It may also present as a feeling of tightness, pressure, or burning in the chest area. This discomfort can occur anywhere along the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen and may radiate to other areas such as the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back.

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The heart is often the first organ that comes to mind when discussing chest discomfort. Several heart-related conditions can lead to chest pain:

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  • Heart Attack: A heart attack occurs when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, often due to a blood clot. Symptoms may include severe chest pain, pressure, or tightness that lasts more than a few minutes, and may be accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or pain radiating to the arms or jaw. Immediate medical attention by calling 999 is crucial.​

  • Angina: Angina is a word describing chest discomfort that is caused by exertion and disappears quickly with rest. It is usually caused by a narrowing or occlusion in the heart arteries which occurs gradually over time with cholesterol accumulation. As a consequence, heart muscle receives less blood flow when the oxygen demand (exertion) increases and trigger pain that is relieved with rest (or sometimes GTN spray).​​

  • Pericarditis: This condition involves inflammation of the pericardium, the protective sac surrounding the heart. It can cause sharp, stabbing chest pain that may worsen with deep breaths or lying down.

 

The symptoms associated with chest discomfort can vary significantly depending on the underlying cause. Common symptoms include:

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  • Pressure or Tightness: Many individuals describe a sensation of heaviness or tightness in the chest, akin to a weight pressing down.

  • Radiating Pain: Discomfort may spread to the arms (often the left arm), neck, jaw, or back.

  • Duration and Intensity: Chest pain can last for a few minutes or persist for hours. It may worsen with physical activity and improve with rest.

  • Accompanying Symptoms: Other signs may include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or a feeling of impending doom. These symptoms are particularly concerning and may indicate a heart attack.

 

It is crucial to take chest discomfort seriously, especially if it is new, severe, or accompanied by other symptoms. You should consult a healthcare professional and undergo investigations such as an echocardiogram, CT scan and many other tests could be performed. ​

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Timely intervention can be lifesaving.

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At My Heart we can help you with these investigations and a cardiology consultation as well if you need one.

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