Know your chest pain

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in America. Every year, hundreds of thousands of Americans die of heart disease. Many people have no idea that they even CAD. In fact, the first indication that many people have heart disease is when they have a massive heart attack, or worse yet, experience sudden cardiac death.

Chest pain is one of the trademarks of CAD. Some people (e.g., women or diabetes) can have severe heart disease, or even suffer a heart attack without chest pain of any kind! Most cases of chest pain are not related to the heart. Other common causes of chest pain include pain, spasm of the esophagus wall, heartburn and chest (e.g. lifting a muscle tense from furniture). While the list of potential causes of chest pain is rather long, the purpose of this article is to help you consider your symptoms in detail, so you can submit these symptoms to your doctor. When you experience chest pain suggests the following questions. (If you have severe chest pain or are at high risk of having a heart attack, call 911.)

1. how many times have you pain?

2. how long does it last episodes of pain?

3. the pain radiate anywhere, such as the shoulders, neck or jaw?

4. There are no shortness of breath, nausea, rapid heartbeat, dizziness or sweating with pain in the chest?

5. what things will bring on the pain and what things make it go away?

6. What is the most comfortable position for you when the pain?

7. any of your relatives by blood, had a heart attack, and if so, what were they and what were their approximate age, when they had their first attack?

8. do you smoke? Did you ever smoke in the past and if yes, how much does it cost?

9. has never been told that you have a high cholesterol level?

10. take a deep breath or cough affect pain?

11. Pressing on your chest to play the same kind of pain?

12. pain is a sensation of pressure or squeezing, sharp, aching, burning or boring?

13. have you been coughing lately?

14. Food affects pain? If so, what impact the pain?

15. were belching or passing gas more than usual?

16. What have you tried for pain? It worked, and if so, how long did it take to get relief and how long did the relief last?

17. is pain at its worst at its onset or as time moves on?

18. have you ever been diagnosed with asthma?

19. There is no pain in the breast?

Copyright, Hester Maria a., M.D.