Retrosternal pain, pain in the sternum: causes, symptoms and what may be associated with, help, treatment. Chest pain Chest pain during exercise

Pain in chest can talk about different diseases. In order to find out the reason, the doctor checks its nature, how long it lasts, the patient must definitely pass all the necessary tests and only then can we say what triggered the onset of pain. You cannot tolerate chest pain, because, for whatever reason, the appearance of unpleasant sensations in this area is quite dangerous. Therefore, it is important to diagnose the cause in time and start effectively treating it. Why are there pain in the chest area?

Chest pain after exercise

Unpleasant sensations arise most often after a person has overworked physically, also after injuries, stretching, damage. In cases of intense physical exertion, pain in the chest area may occur and be localized between the ribs. This pain is called - dyspnea, it can most often appear after active exercise, physical work. It does not pose a danger to humans, because it is associated with the fact that muscle connective tissue secrete lactic acid, because of this, muscle and ligamentous structures of tense muscles are slightly damaged. It has a pulling character, with a sharp movement it begins to increase greatly. Such pain can be avoided if you train correctly, calculate the load and your strength.

Post-traumatic chest pain

Chest pain occurs due to the fact that an injury has been inflicted, also if the injured internal organs because of her. When, the pain is stabbing, especially when squeezing the chest. It can intensify when a person coughs heavily, and disappears after relaxation. Bruises are immediately noticeable, with bruises and bruises begin to appear. If the lung is bruised, it does not pose a danger, but if it is severe, everything can end in death, because it can lead to lung rupture and hemorrhage.

Chest pain due to viral and infectious disease

This pain occurs when a person inhales deeply, sneezes, or coughs. Moreover, it appears in the place affected by the infection. In cases of colds, the pain disappears after it is healed, also when the patient adheres to bed rest. In cases of deterioration of the patient's condition, it can be said that serious complications have arisen in the vital respiratory organs, such as:

Chest pain due to cardiovascular disease

1. When pain in the chest is sudden, it can occur on one side or give both sides at once. In this case, a person suffers from pressing pain, it arises at any time of the day - after physical exertion, at night, etc.

2. With myocardial infarction, acute pain appears in the chest area, this is due to the fact that a person has died of one part of the heart muscle, because of this, he does not have enough oxygen. The pain is sudden, sharp, and may radiate to the left arm or shoulder. Here you need to act quickly, call urgently ambulance.

3. Pain in the chest due to, which occurs when the pericardium becomes inflamed. This disease can be independent, or accompany infectious, oncological and autoimmune diseases... The pain resembles angina pectoris, but at the same time it becomes difficult for a person to breathe, he suffers from shortness of breath, and the esophageal system begins to squeeze. In this case, a feverish state appears, the face, neck swell, and veins are noticeable.

Thus, the chest can hurt for various reasons, and all of them are quite serious, so you shouldn't hesitate, you need to urgently consult a specialist who will definitely help diagnose pain in the chest area.

The heart, lungs, esophagus, and large vessels receive afferent innervation from the same thoracic nerve ganglion. Pain impulses from these organs are most often perceived as chest pain, but since there is a crossover of afferent nerve fibers in the dorsal ganglia, chest pain can be felt anywhere between the epigastric region and the jugular fossa, including the arms and shoulders (as reflected pain).

Pain impulses from the organs of the chest cavity can cause discomfort, described as pressure, distention, burning, aching and sometimes sharp pain. Since these sensations have a visceral basis, many patients describe them as pain, although it is more correct to interpret them as discomfort.

Causes of chest pain

Many diseases are accompanied by chest discomfort or pain. Some (eg, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, thoracic aortic dissection, tension pneumothorax, esophageal rupture, embolism pulmonary artery) pose an immediate threat to life. Some diseases (stable angina pectoris, pericarditis, myocarditis, pneumothorax, pneumonia, pancreatitis, various tumors of the chest) pose a potential threat to the patient's life. Other conditions [such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), peptic ulcer, dysphagia, osteochondrosis, chest trauma, biliary tract disease, shingles] are unpleasant but usually harmless.

Chest pain in children and young people (younger than 30 years old) is rarely caused by myocardial ischemia, but myocardial infarction can develop as early as 20 years of age. More common in this age group are muscle, skeletal, or lung disease.

Chest pain is the most common reason for calling an emergency doctor. Major diseases of cardio-vascular system, in which there is marked pain in the chest, are:

  • angina pectoris,
  • myocardial infarction,
  • aortic dissection
  • pulmonary embolism,
  • pericarditis.

A classic example of chest pain or discomfort is exertional angina. With "classic" angina pectoris during physical exertion, pain or discomfort of a pressing or compressive nature occurs behind the sternum. Pain with exertional angina quickly disappears after the termination of the load (after stopping), as a rule, within 2-3 minutes. Less often within 5 minutes. If you immediately take nitroglycerin under the tongue, the pain will disappear in 1.5-2 minutes. Angina pain is caused by myocardial ischemia. With spontaneous angina pectoris, pain occurs at rest ("rest angina"), but the nature of pain in typical attacks is the same as in exertional angina. In addition, most patients with spontaneous angina have concomitant exertional angina. Isolated ("pure") spontaneous angina is extremely rare. With spontaneous angina pectoris, in most cases, there is a clear effect from taking nitroglycerin. In chest pain that occurs at rest, the effect of nitroglycerin is of great diagnostic value, suggesting an ischemic origin of pain.

Chest pain symptoms

Symptoms that appear in severe diseases of the chest organs are often very similar, but sometimes they can be differentiated.

  • Unbearable pain radiating to the neck or arm indicates acute ischemia or myocardial infarction. Patients often compare myocardial ischemic pain with dyspepsia.
  • Pain associated with exertion that disappears at rest is characteristic of exertional angina.
  • Excruciating pain radiating to the back indicates a separation thoracic aorta.
  • Burning pain that spreads from the epigastric region to the throat, aggravated by lying down and decreasing with antacids is a sign of GERD.
  • High body temperature, chills, and coughing support pneumonia.
  • Severe dyspnea occurs with pulmonary embolism and pneumonia.
  • Pain can be triggered by breathing, movement, or both, in both severe and mild illness; these provoking factors are not specific.
  • Short (less than 5 s), sharp, intermittent pain is rarely a sign of serious pathology.

Objective examination

Symptoms such as tachycardia, bradycardia, tachypnea, arterial hypotension, or signs of circulatory disorders (eg, confusion, cyanosis, sweating) are nonspecific, but their presence increases the likelihood that the patient has a serious illness.

The absence of respiratory noises on the one hand is a sign of pneumothorax; resonating percussion sound and swelling of the cervical veins are evidence in favor of tension pneumothorax. Fever and wheezing are symptoms of pneumonia. Fever is possible with pulmonary embolism, pericarditis, acute myocardial infarction, or ruptured esophagus. Pericarditis is supported by a pericardial rubbing noise. The appearance of an IV heart sound (S 4), late systolic murmur of papillary muscle dysfunction, or both of these signs appear with myocardial infarction. Local lesions of the central nervous system, murmur of aortic regurgitation, pulse asymmetry or blood pressure in the arms are symptoms of thoracic aortic dissection. Swelling and soreness lower limbs indicate deep vein thrombosis and, thus, a possible pulmonary embolism. Chest pain on palpation occurs in 15% of patients with acute heart attack myocardium, this symptom is nonspecific for diseases of the chest wall.

Additional research methods

The minimum examination for a patient with chest pain includes pulse oximetry, ECG, and chest x-ray. Adults are often tested for markers of myocardial damage. The results of these tests, together with the data of the history and physical examination, allow a presumptive diagnosis. Blood tests are often not available when initial examination... Separate normal indicators of myocardial damage markers cannot be the basis for excluding heart damage. In the event that myocardial ischemia is likely, the studies must be repeated several times, as well as the ECG, it is also possible to perform a stress ECG and stress echocardiography.

Diagnostic administration of a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue or a liquid antacid does not reliably differentiate myocardial ischemia and GERD or gastritis. Any of these medicines can reduce the symptoms of each of the diseases.

The chest is a part of the body, consisting of the chest cavity, the organs of the respiratory and cardiovascular system located in it, muscle fibers and bone tissue (ribs, sternum and spine). In women, the chest is flatter, so its volume is slightly smaller compared to men of the same age. The chest cavity contains the bronchopulmonary system, thoracic vertebrae, heart, arteries through which blood enters the heart muscle, esophagus and top part diaphragmatic tube.

If a person has painful sensations in the sternum, the reason may lie in the pathology of any of the listed organs, therefore, it is impossible to associate such a symptom only with heart disease. The doctor should deal with the treatment of chest pains: self-medication and untimely treatment for medical help can cause deterioration of health and progression of the underlying disease.

Injury to bone or muscle tissue is a fairly common cause of pain in the sternum. The nature of the pain depends on the conditions in which the injury was received and the impact of additional factors. For example, when falling, the pain is most often dull, aching, has moderate to high intensity and intensifies during bending forward or turning the trunk to the side. Injuries sustained in a fight can lead to rupture of internal organs - such a pathology will be accompanied by acute or cutting pain, which weakens if the patient takes a certain position of the body (most often on the side), but does not completely go away.

The most dangerous are chest injuries resulting from road traffic accidents and other emergencies. Pain shock often develops in patients, decreases arterial pressure, lips turn blue and skin... With fractures, pain may be absent for 6-10 hours. Some patients at this time continue to do their usual things and maintain a normal level of activity, but after a few hours the effect of natural anesthesia ends, and a severe pain syndrome appears, often requiring emergency hospitalization of the patient using special means.


Common symptoms suggestive of chest injuries of various origins are:

  • strong pain (blunt, sharp, dagger-shaped, cutting) in the central part of the chest and at the site of injury;
  • decrease or fluctuations in blood pressure;
  • headache and dizziness;
  • vomiting;
  • increased pain during movement, breathing and palpation of the injured area.

If the respiratory organs are damaged, the patient may develop acute respiratory failure, which is fraught with loss of consciousness and even death if the person is not taken to the trauma department on time. Treatment of injuries and pathologies depends on the type of injury, the patient's condition, symptoms and other factors. If the patient has injured thoracic vertebrae, surgery may be required.

Note! If a person was intoxicated at the time of injury, pain syndrome may appear only after a few hours, since wine alcohol blocks pain receptors and acts as a synthetic analgesic.

The relationship of pain in the sternum with pathologies of the digestive system

Some people think that in diseases of the stomach and intestines, pain occurs only in various parts of the abdomen, but this is not so. Pathology digestive system - another one common reason soreness in the center of the sternum, therefore, people with chronic disorders in the work of the gastrointestinal tract need to know the features clinical course this group of diseases.

Diseases of the esophagus

In the central part of the chest is the esophagus - a muscular hollow organ in the form of a tube through which crushed food enters the stomach. The esophagus is located in the middle of the chest cavity, therefore, in case of disturbances in the work of this organ, pain syndrome will appear along the midline of the sternum. The most common pathology of the esophagus is its inflammation - esophagitis. The disease manifests itself with symptoms typical of diseases of the digestive tract, and it is the pain in the middle of the chest that makes it possible to differentiate it from other digestive disorders even before the hardware and laboratory diagnostics.


Common signs of esophagitis include:

  • stitching sensation in the throat when swallowing;
  • A "lump" in the larynx;
  • pain while eating when food passes through the esophagus, arising in the middle of the chest cavity;
  • bad breath;
  • painful sensations in the epigastrium and abdominal zone, aggravated after eating;
  • offensive belching;
  • heartburn.

In rare cases, similar symptoms with localization of the main pain syndrome in the sternum can be observed with exacerbation of cholecystitis, pancreatitis or gastritis with increased secretion of hydrochloric acid. To make an accurate diagnosis, the patient undergoes a number of diagnostic studies: blood and urine tests, FGDS, ultrasound of organs abdominal cavity... Based on their results, the doctor will prescribe treatment and give recommendations on nutrition and regimen.

Treatment regimen for esophagitis in adult patients (can be adjusted depending on individual parameters)

Drug groupWhat medications should I take?Picture
Inhibitors histamine receptors

Famotidine

Means for symptomatic treatment heartburn, which neutralizes excess hydrochloric acid in the stomach

"Maalox"

Proton pump blockersPantoprazole

Omeprazole

Means for eliminating vomiting and nausea and facilitating the passage of food through the esophagus

"Ganaton"

With an infection of the esophagus, the doctor may prescribe antibacterial or antiviral therapy.

Video: Pain in the esophagus when swallowing and passing food

Subphrenic abscess

This is a pathology in which a cavity filled with purulent exudate forms under the lower border of the diaphragm - the muscle tube separating the chest and abdominal cavities and necessary for the expansion of the lungs. In most cases, the disease requires surgical treatment, since when an abscess breaks through, pus will enter the peritoneum, which will lead to the rapid development of a life-threatening condition - acute peritonitis. After opening the abscess and drainage, the patient is prescribed conservative supportive therapy using anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antimicrobial agents. To eliminate painful sensations and relieve inflammation, funds from the NSAID group ( "Ibufen", "Ibuklin", "Ketorol", "Ketanov"). To prevent tissue infection, use "Metronidazole" and "Tsiprolet".

Heart disorders

This is the main cause of pain in the sternum, so it is important to know the signs and characteristics of diseases that can provoke such symptoms.

DiseasePictureWhat is it characterized and how is it manifested?
Angina pectoris (by type of stress) The patient experiences compressive and bursting pain in the center of the sternum, the attack of which can last from 2 to 15 minutes. Painful sensations can remain even at rest, and pain can radiate to the area of \u200b\u200bthe shoulder blades, clavicle and left forearm.
Myocardial infarction (necrosis) Deadly pathology. Pain can occur on the left side of the chest, moving to the central zone. Breathing disorders, shortness of breath, anxiety and fear, a drop in blood pressure are added to the pain syndrome.
Blockage of a pulmonary artery (thromboembolism) The pain increases with inhalation, while it is well controlled by analgesics. The symptomatology resembles an attack of "angina pectoris", the hallmark is the absence of irradiation to other parts of the body

Important!For any symptoms that may indicate heart disease, you must immediately call an ambulance. The patient should be seated on a chair or put in bed with his head elevated, provide a flow of air, give a pill " Nitroglycerin"Under the tongue (analogous to" Nitrospray", To ease the condition, make one injection into the sublingual area). If there is no effect, the reception can be repeated after 5-7 minutes.

Neurological diseases and pathologies of the musculoskeletal system

Diseases of the spine can be congenital, but about 80% are acquired in childhood or adolescence, so the task of parents is to ensure the prevention of disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the correct formation of the spinal column through physical exercises, gymnastics and massage. The most common diseases of the spine are scoliosis (curvature of the spine) and osteochondrosis. Pain attack in the central part of the chest cavity can occur with chest or cervical osteochondrosis... At the same time, the pain is pressing, intense, increases in the supine position.

Treatment for osteochondrosis includes remedial gymnastics, a properly composed diet and normalization of the psychoemotional state, since most attacks are provoked by nervous breakdowns or overstrain. To relieve pain, you can use anti-inflammatory drugs ( "Nimesulide", "Diclofenac", "Capsicam"), but only after consulting a doctor, since many of them have a large list of contraindications and can cause blood diseases.

Important! Similar symptoms are also characteristic of intercostal neuralgia - compression or pinching of the intercostal nerves. The pain can be sharp, shooting, pulsating, stabbing and very intense. The pain syndrome proceeds against the background of impaired respiratory function, may have a constant course or appear in short attacks. With chronic neuralgia, painful sensations can take on a burning or dull character.

Chest pain - dangerous symptom, common mainly in people over 30 years old with chronic diseases. If a child has such pain, it is necessary to urgently go to the hospital in order to exclude the possibility of hidden injuries and damage to internal organs. In rare cases, pain in the central part of the sternum may indicate a tuberculosis infection; in no case can such symptoms be ignored. read on our website.

Video - Why does the chest hurt?

Video - How to find out what hurts behind the breastbone?

A symptom such as sternum pain tends to catch a person off guard, and the first thing that comes to mind is the thought of heart problems and a well-founded fear. Sometimes this is a really alarming sign that requires an ambulance call. Non-urgent cases require an independent visit to the doctor. In addition, there are a number of diseases that are not related to the heart muscle, but provoke pain in the chest. Knowing these nuances means being able to take care of your health in time.

The main causes of pain in the center of the sternum

Constricting (pressing, burning) is a common symptom ischemic disease heart (angina pectoris). Sometimes it spreads to the left half of the chest, left arm (scapula, hypochondrium, back). It usually occurs during physical exertion, stress, less often at rest. The attack lasts up to 10-15 minutes, it is removed with nitroglycerin.

Acute, sharp, intense pain in the center of the chest or on the left, accompanied by cold sweat, suffocation, nausea, and a strong fear of death is clinical sign myocardial infarction. It occurs spontaneously, without reference to stress, even at night in a dream, lasts more than 15 minutes, is not relieved by means of angina pectoris. A heart attack requires urgent hospitalization.

Pain in the sternum is localized in the middle in case of lung diseases (pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis), gastrointestinal tract (stomach ulcer and duodenum, gastritis, diseases of the esophagus), thoracic spine (osteochondrosis), peripheral nervous system (vegetative-vascular dystonia, intercostal neuralgia), with diaphragmatic abscess or oncological diseases of the thoracic region.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes a constant burning sensation in the middle of the chest and throat (heartburn). If the pain sensations increase when a person lies down, this indicates a possible hernia of the diaphragm. Pain symptoms in the upper chest are likely diseases of the upper respiratory tract.

What disease can be a symptom of chest pain?

With the above diseases, soreness, usually localized in the middle of the chest, sometimes spreads to the left side of the body (less often to the right or back). Only a doctor can make a diagnosis, therefore, except in cases of emergency hospitalization, it is unreasonable to postpone a visit to a specialist. It is important to track and inform the therapist about accompanying symptoms: shortness of breath, sweating, swelling, heat, cough, the nature of pain during exercise / rest, food intake, different body positions.

Aching pain behind the breastbone on the right

Pericarditis (inflammation of the lining of the heart), as a rule, is accompanied by constant moderate (sometimes increasing) aching pain, which disturbs the region of the heart and above it, sometimes extends to the right half of the chest, as well as the epigastric region and the left scapula. If the person lies on their back, the pain sensations increase.

Other diseases with a characteristic pain symptom in both the right and left sides of the sternum can be neurological problems. Inflammation, abscess, swelling of the right lung are accompanied by a varied constant pain (aching, pressing, dull, burning), sometimes radiating to the healthy side, abdomen, neck, shoulder, and aggravated by coughing.

Pressing pain on the left

In addition to such typical myocardial diseases as heart attack and angina pectoris, problems with other organs can disguise themselves as heart disease. So, problems with the pancreas, located on the left side of the abdominal cavity, can cause pressing dull pain in the sternum on the left. Other possible reason - This is a hernia of the esophageal opening of the diaphragm. Aching, pressing pain on the left side is a symptom of vascular dystonia, inflammation of the left lung or pleura.

What does pain on inhalation and exhalation mean?

Pain in the sternum during exhalation or inhalation is not directly related to the myocardium, but is a sign of the following diseases:

  • intercostal neuralgia (pain is localized more often to the left, discomfort increases when trying to take a deep breath or when coughing);
  • pneumothorax (when air accumulates between the chest wall and the lung, it is characterized by pain on the left, which intensifies when a person breathes deeply);
  • precordial syndrome (severe pain suddenly occurs during inhalation, repeats several times a day, is not associated with stress, does not require specific treatment).

Sternum pain when coughing

If chest pain occurs or worsens with coughing, this may be a sign of:

  • diseases of the pleura (membranes of the inner surfaces of the chest cavity);
  • violations of the mobility of the thoracic spine and ribs;
  • intercostal neuralgia;
  • colds respiratory tract (tracheitis, bronchitis);
  • renal colic;
  • pneumothorax;
  • lung oncology;
  • chest injuries.

With osteochondrosis

Exacerbation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is sometimes mistaken for a pathology of the cardiovascular system, because accompanying pain in the sternum is localized, as a rule, in the region of the heart, sometimes with irradiation to the right half, to the back or side. The pain symptom occurs suddenly, paroxysm, or is characterized by a non-intense long course. Strengthening of unpleasant sensations occurs when inhaling, exhaling (during an attack it is difficult to breathe), coughing, and movement of the arms and neck.

The similarity of symptoms with heart attack and angina pectoris leads to the fact that patients are unsuccessfully trying to alleviate their condition with drugs for these diseases. With improper treatment or its absence, internal organs (pancreas, liver, intestines) are affected, it is possible that the cardiovascular system malfunctions, so a visit to a doctor should not be postponed.

When driving

In many diseases (angina pectoris, heart attack, myocarditis, pleurisy, osteochondrosis, sternum injury, rib fracture), pain in the sternum increases with movement. Sometimes unpleasant sensations bother only with certain movements, for example, when bending, making sharp turns, lifting weights, pressing on the sternum. Do not neglect the examination if the pain has passed, or rely on folk methods treatment, because these symptoms may be the primary sign of a serious problem.

Chest pain requiring urgent treatment

If severe pain has arisen suddenly and is accompanied by lack of air, shortness of breath, clouding of consciousness, nausea, you should immediately seek medical help.

Emergency hospitalization is indicated for such diseases that have a high percentage of deaths without timely assistance, such as:

  • myocardial infarction;
  • pulmonary embolism;
  • spontaneous rupture of the esophagus;
  • dissecting aortic aneurysm;
  • ischemic disease (angina pectoris);
  • spontaneous pneumothorax.

Myocarditis

This inflammation of the heart muscle is characterized by various (stabbing, aching, pressing) chest pains in the left and in the middle, shortness of breath, weakness, arrhythmia. To people with such clinical symptoms you should immediately consult a doctor, because some types of myocarditis can provoke a more serious disease - dilated cardiomyopathy and even lead to death.

Rheumatic heart disease

If rheumatic myocardial damage (rheumatic heart disease) is not treated, then 20-25% of cases end in the formation of a heart defect. Symptoms depend on the type of disease, severity and are not always expressed. The following signs may indicate possible development rheumatic heart disease (especially if they appeared 2-3 weeks after an acute nasopharyngeal infection): chest pain (pronounced or not intense) in the heart, shortness of breath, tachycardia, swelling of the legs, cough during exertion.

Video: Causes of pain in the middle

Suspecting yourself or loved one myocardial infarction or other dangerous cardiovascular disease, you must call an ambulance as soon as possible. What else is important to remember about chest pain, how to prevent such problems and how to help if the disease has already occurred, you will learn by watching the video presented with the recommendations of specialists.

Cardiovascular diseases today occupy a leading position among the most dangerous and common diseases in the world.

At the heart of such diseases are most often distinguished genetic predispositionas well as the wrong lifestyle.

There are many cardiovascular diseases and they proceed differently: they can occur as a result of inflammatory processes in the body, intoxication, trauma, birth defects, metabolic disorders, etc.

However, the variety of reasons for the development of these diseases is linked by the fact that their symptoms can be common.

Chest pain as a harbinger of heart disease

A symptom such as an unpleasant feeling of discomfort and pain in the chest area may portend a malfunction of the heart and blood vessels.

If the pains are burning in nature, then this condition indicates a spasm of the coronary vessels, leading to malnutrition of the heart. This kind of pain in medicine is called angina pectoris.

Such pain occurs as a result of:

  • physical activity,
  • at low temperatures,
  • often in stressful situations.

The phenomenon of angina pectoris occurs when the blood flow ceases to meet the needs of the heart muscle mass in oxygen supply. The people call angina pectoris "angina pectoris". The doctor recognizes such a disease literally at the first visit of the patient.

Diagnosing abnormalities in this case is difficult, because to make a correct diagnosis, it is necessary to monitor the development of angina pectoris and additional examinations (for example, daily ECG monitoring). Differentiated angina pectoris and angina pectoris of a calm state (rest).

  1. Rest angina... Usually not associated with physical activity, has general characteristics with severe attacks of angina pectoris, may be accompanied by a feeling of shortness of breath. Often occurs at night.
  2. Exertional angina... Attacks of such angina pectoris occur almost with a certain frequency, which is provoked by stress. When the load decreases, the seizures stop.

However, there is also unstable angina pectoris, which is dangerous by the development of myocardial infarction. Patients with unstable angina pectoris are hospitalized without fail.

Heart conditions that cause chest pain


According to the patient's description of the sensations of pain in the chest area, an experienced doctor concludes about the nature of the disease. In such cases, the cardiovisor device helps to determine whether this deviation is associated with a disease of the cardiovascular system.

Diagnosis of chest pain

Clarification of the duration, localization, intensity and nature of chest pain, as well as reducing and provoking factors is very important.

Previous abnormalities in the work of the heart, the use of potent drugs that can cause spasms of the coronary arteries (for example, cocaine or phosphodiesterase inhibitors), as well as the presence of pulmonary embolism or a risk factor for coronary heart disease (travel, pregnancy, etc.) are of considerable importance.

A burdened family history increases the likelihood of developing coronary artery disease, however, clarify the reasons acute pain it makes no sense.

Additional research methods

A minimal examination for a patient with chest pain may consist of:

  • pulse oximetry,
  • chest x-ray.

For adults, testing for markers of myocardial tissue damage can be done. The effectiveness of such tests with anamnesis data, as well as an objective examination, make it possible to form a preliminary diagnosis.

Blood tests may not be available during the initial examination. If the markers indicate damage to the myocardium, then they cannot state that the heart is damaged.

Diagnostic administration of nitroglycerin tablets or liquid antacid under the tongue cannot reliably differentiate gastritis, GERD, or myocardial ischemia. Each of these medical drugs able to reduce signs of illness.

Chest pain treatment

Medical and therapeutic treatment of chest pain is carried out in accordance with the diagnosis.

If the causes of chest pain are not fully understood, the patient is taken to the hospital for an in-depth examination to monitor the heart conditions. Of the drugs, only opiates can be prescribed until the correct diagnosis is made.

Prevention of heart disease

To prevent the occurrence of heart ailments, doctors have developed several recommendations:

  1. Walk more on foot, regularly do feasible and simple physical exercises. It is not recommended to start classes physical exercise with the greatest loads, and before starting such training, it is imperative to consult with doctors so that the selected program will only benefit the body.
  2. Try to maintain an optimal body weight.
  3. It is imperative to keep under control the possible factors for the development of atherosclerosis, for example, high blood pressure, the amount of cholesterol, etc.
  4. Meals should always be regular and complete, there should be more protein foods and vitamins with minerals in the diet.
  5. It is recommended to visit a doctor regularly and carry out the necessary laboratory research.
  6. Remember the golden rule of health: it is always easier to prevent a disease than to cure it later.

Prediction of a symptom of chest pain

Predicting a symptom that subsequently develops into cardiovascular disease is difficult. The fact is that everything depends on providing first aid to the patient.

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