Chest Pain

What is chest pain?

Chest pain refers to any discomfort you feel in the chest. The pain can be sharp or achy and may spread to other areas of the body like your neck, jaw, or arms. You may also feel a crushing or squeezing sensation. 

You can have chest pain that lasts a few minutes, hours, or months. 

If you have chest pain during physical activity, you have angina. This is a type of chest pain that occurs when your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen, and it’s a sign that you may have a heart condition.

Because chest pain is a symptom of heart disease, it’s not something you should ignore. If your chest pain is sudden and severe, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

What causes chest pain?

Chest pain is a symptom of many health conditions. Some causes are more serious than others. Causes of chest pain include:

• Heartburn
• Gastritis
• Gallstones
• Anxiety
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary embolism (PE)
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Asthma

Of course, chest pain is also a symptom of heart diseases like coronary artery disease (CAD), atrial fibrillation (AFib), heart failure, and valvular heart disease.

If you’re concerned that your chest pain is heart-related, schedule an evaluation at Candice Kim Cardiology.

What tests help diagnose chest pain?

Dr. Kim is an experienced physician who performs a thorough history and physical exam when you come in with complaints of chest pain, so she knows what type of testing you need. She asks detailed questions about your symptoms.

To determine the cause of your chest pain, Dr. Kim may run lab work and perform an electrocardiogram (EKG) test to check your heart’s electrical activity. She may also request a stress test, chest X-ray, or echocardiogram.

What are some treatments for chest pain?

Dr. Kim tailors your chest pain treatment plan based on the cause. Treatment may include:

• Weight management
• Heart-healthy diet
• Exercise program
• Smoking cessation
• Medication to manage hypertension or high cholesterol
• Heart medication

When appropriate, Dr. Kim refers you to other specialists for additional treatments to manage the cause of your chest pain. 

For help with your chest pain, call Candice Kim Cardiology or schedule an appointment online today.