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About Chest Pain
Chest pain is always concerning because it may signal a heart attack or serious heart condition. When you need help with chest pain, the skilled cardiologists at HeartPlace offer comprehensive care at 30 locations across North Texas. The team performs advanced in-office cardiovascular testing to obtain a prompt diagnosis; then, they develop a customized treatment to ease your symptoms and restore your heart health. Don't wait to seek medical care for chest pain. Call the nearest office or book an appointment online today.
Chest Pain Q & A
What causes chest pain?
Chest pain doesn't always signal a heart problem. For example, chest pain may occur if you have a lung condition, gastroesophageal reflux disease, or problems with your ribs or the muscles in your chest.
However, chest pain is the most common indication of serious heart problems such as:
- Heart attack
- Heart failure
- Coronary artery disease
- Aortic dissection
- Heart valve disease
- Inflamed heart muscles
- Inflamed pericardium
- Atrial fibrillation
In addition to atrial fibrillation, other types of heart arrhythmias also cause chest pain.
What other symptoms accompany chest pain?
When you have chest pain from a heart condition, the underlying issue can often cause additional symptoms. You may experience:
- Heart palpitations (rapid or pounding heartbeat, fluttering in your chest)
- Shortness of breath
- Pain that gets worse during activities
- Quickly tiring during physical activities
- Nausea and vomiting
- Leg swelling
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
The signs of a heart attack include pain or pressure in the center of your chest, shortness of breath, and pain in other parts of your upper body, such as your back, neck, jaw, stomach, and one or both arms. Call 911 immediately if you suspect your chest pain signals a heart attack.
What diagnostic tests might I receive for chest pain?
HeartPlace performs essential diagnostic tests in the office so they can quickly evaluate the results and determine the cause of your chest pain.
Needed diagnostic tests may include:
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram (EKG)
- Stress testing
- Metabolic stress testing
- Electrophysiology study
- Holter monitor
Depending on your specific symptoms and the results of tests like an echocardiogram and EKG, you may also need a minimally invasive procedure such as cardiac catheterization or cardiac CT angiography.
How is chest pain treated?
Your provider determines the best treatment based on the heart condition causing your chest pain and the severity of the underlying condition.
Though your provider customizes your treatment, many people need to make lifestyle changes to support their heart health. You may also need medication to improve your heart function and treat conditions that contribute to heart diseases, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
The expert cardiologists at HeartPlace provide comprehensive care for every type of heart condition. As a result, they offer a long list of exceptional services ranging from balloon valvuloplasty, coronary angioplasty, and pacemaker insertion to mitral valve repair, advanced electrophysiology treatments, and cardiac surgery.
If you experience recurrent chest pain, call HeartPlace or book an appointment online today.