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Chest pain is a common symptom that can be indicative of various underlying medical conditions. One of the significant and potentially serious causes of chest pain is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Understanding the relationship between chest pain and CAD is crucial for timely diagnosis and effective management.
What Are The Common Causes Of Chest Pain?
Chest pain can have various causes, ranging from mild and non-threatening to severe and life-threatening. It’s important to note that chest pain should never be ignored, and prompt medical attention is necessary to determine the underlying cause. Some causes of chest pain include:
- Coronary artery disease (narrowing of your heart’s arteries)
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
- Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (Heartburn)
- Muscle Strain or Injury
- Pulmonary Embolism (blood clot in the lung)
- Pneumonia (Chest infection)
- Costochondritis (inflammation around the ribs)
- Pericarditis (inflammation of the sac surrounding your heart)
- Aortic Dissection (A tear in the large vessel carrying blood away from the heart)
- Anxiety or Panic Attacks
- Shingles (re-activation of the chicken-pox virus)
- Rib Fractures or Injuries
How Can I Differentiate Between Heart-Related Chest Pain And Other Types Of Chest Pain?
Distinguishing between heart-related chest pain and other types involves considering the location, duration, and nature of the pain. Heart-related pain typically occurs centrally, lasts for several minutes, and is described as pressure or tightness, often radiating to the arms or jaw, and may be brought on by exertion.
Non-cardiac chest pain may be more localised, variable in duration, and exhibit a sharper or burning sensation. However not every patient presents in a typical or predictable manner. Any chest pain warrants prompt medical attention, especially if recurrent, does not resolve or is accompanied by additional symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness or profuse sweating.
What Is Coronary Artery Disease (CAD)?
Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) is a cardiovascular condition that happens when the blood vessels supplying the heart with oxygen and nutrients get clogged up with fatty deposits, making it harder for blood to flow to the heart muscle. When the heart muscle is starved of oxygen it can lead to chest pain and increases the risk of heart attacks.
What Are The Risk Factors For Developing Coronary Artery Disease?
Several risk factors contribute to the development of coronary artery disease. It’s important to note that having one or more risk factors doesn’t guarantee that someone will develop CAD, but it increases the likelihood. The significant risk factors for coronary artery disease include:
- Age
- Gender
- Family History
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- High Cholesterol Levels
- Smoking
- Diabetes
- Obesity and Physical Inactivity
- Unhealthy Diet
What Lifestyle Changes Can Help Prevent Coronary Artery Disease?
Several lifestyle changes can significantly reduce the risk of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) and promote heart health:
- Follow a heart-healthy diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy
- Exercise regularly
- Quit smoking
- Limit alcohol intake
- Maintain a healthy weight through a balanced diet and regular exercise
- Practice stress-reducing techniques like meditation or deep breathing exercises
- Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other heart health indicators
- Have enough sleep
- Limit intake of saturated and trans fats
- Regularly monitor and manage blood pressure
When Should I Seek Medical Attention For Chest Pain?
Seek immediate medical attention for chest pain if it is severe, persistent, or lasts more than a few minutes. Chest pain radiating to the arms, neck, jaw, or back, especially accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting, requires urgent evaluation. If the pain is triggered by exertion or is unexplained, individuals with a history of heart conditions or those at high risk should not delay seeking help.
What Diagnostic Tests Are Used To Evaluate Chest Pain And Detect Coronary Artery Disease?
After going through your medical history and examination your Doctor may recommend some tests to diagnose underlying coronary artery disease. Diagnostic tests that may be utilised to evaluate chest pain and detect Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) include:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG)
- Echocardiogram
- Stress Tests such as a treadmill test or a stress imaging test
- CT coronary angiography
- Coronary Angiography
