Surviving a Summer Cold

What Is Causing Your Chest Pain?

Have you been experiencing chest pain? If so, you are likely concerned about the issue and whether or not it is related to your cardiovascular system. It is true that some chest pains are related to cardiovascular issues but not all of them. It is also important to note that if it is a cardiovascular issue, it could be multiple areas that are affected. This is why it is ideal to seek the counsel of a medical professional to ensure that the chest pain you are experiencing is not life-threatening. The following points represent a few things that could be causing your chest pain.

Gastrointestinal

There are a number of gastrointestinal issues that can cause chest pain. The one that most individuals are familiar with is acid reflux. However, there are other conditions that can cause chest pain, too. For example, ulcers and gallstones can cause chest pain. One thing to note is when you feel the chest pain, if the chest pain occurs shortly after consuming a meal, it might be related to gastrointestinal issues.

Angina

This is a condition that can have the same symptoms as a heart attack. Those who experience it may get fearful that they are having a heart attack. Angina could be considered as a precursor to a potential heart attack. Angina occurs when the heart is not getting enough blood. This is a cardiovascular condition that needs to be taken seriously due to the risk of coronary heart disease if ignored. 

Lung Issues

There are a number of conditions related to the lungs that can cause individuals to have pain in their chests. Perhaps the most common is pneumonia. However, there are other conditions that can evoke chest pain. Lung-related chest pain is often accompanied by shortness of breath.

Heart Attack

This is the biggest worry of most individuals who experience chest pain. If a heart attack is expected, there is no time for individuals to try to determine the severity of a situation. It is best to err on caution and seek emergency help.

A cardiology services professional is a good resource to use to determine whether your chest pains are low or high risk. They may also be able to tell you the exact nature of the pain even if it related to another body system. Keep in mind that annual check-ups are an ideal way to detect conditions such as high blood pressure in a timely manner. Your primary care physician may still need to refer you to a cardiologist, but early intervention can prove to be life-saving.