Have you been experiencing chest pain as you perform your everyday routine? Getting worried when your chest hurts is normal, after all, your heart is there. But don’t panic just yet! It can happen because of various reasons, and many conditions behind chest pain are treatable if diagnosed properly.
As always, the best way to confirm your condition is to consult your physician. To keep yourself informed, here are some possible reasons for your chest pain.
Heart-Related Chest Pain
Heart problems that may be causing chest pains to include the following:
1. Angina
Angina is a heart problem caused by a lack of oxygen flow to the heart. The most common cause of angina is coronary artery disease. This condition can happen for several reasons, such as anxiety or excessive physical exertion. The absence of oxygen in the heart causes pain as the heart needs to pump harder.
Angina symptoms include some or all of the following:
- Chest pain lasting about 1 to 5 minutes
- Discomfort in the upper body
- Numbness or tingling in the shoulders, arms, or wrists
- Sweating and nausea
Depending on the severity of your condition, treatments for angina include rest, medication, rehabilitation, or surgery.
2. Heart Murmurs
Heart murmurs are unusual sounds in your heart caused by the improper flow of blood. That might sound worrisome, but many people experience heart murmurs without realizing it. However, this can also cause chest pain, which may indicate a heart problem. When heart murmurs occur in adults, it can disappear if the underlying condition is addressed.
Digestion-Related Chest Pain
In some cases, chest pains may not be a problem brought about byheart abnormalities but with your digestive system. While these problems can cause pain and discomfort, they usually aren’t life-threatening. Regardless, you should see your physician to receive proper diagnosis and treatment.
1. Heartburn
Heartburn is characterized by a painful, burning feeling in your chest, usually after eating. This pain may feel worse when you lie down or bend over. In addition to chest pain, you may also experience a bitter taste in your mouth. Heartburn occurs when stomach acids flow upward into your esophagus, which is called acid reflux. While this can have a variety of causes, it’s usually not life-threatening.
The following are some factors that may trigger heartburn:
- food and drink such as coffee, alcohol, chocolate and spicy food
- pregnancy
- being overweight
- smoking
- stress
2. GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD occurs due to frequent acid reflux. Obesity, a hiatal hernia, and pregnancy increase your risk of GERD. Factors such as smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee, eating fatty or fried food, and certain medications can trigger or aggravate the condition.
Symptoms can include the following:
- Chest pain
- Regurgitating
- Coughing
- Difficulty swallowing
Treatment for GERD often involves lifestyle changes.
Other Causes of Chest Pain
- Physical Exertion. Your heart is a muscle, and your chest could hurt due to overexertion. Furthermore, exercise can dramatically increase your heart rate, causing chest pain if you are not used to a certain level of activity.
- Your mental health is just as valuable as your physical health. Stress, anxiety, or depression affect the human body just the same as any other condition.
- Caffeine is a stimulant and can cause your heart to work harder than usual.
Diagnosing Chest Pain
After you consult your doctor about your chest pain, they will likely require you to undergo some diagnostic tests:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Blood tests
- X-ray
- Computed tomography (CT Scan)
After conducting diagnostic and follow-up tests, they can diagnose your condition and create a treatment plan tailored to your condition. Treatment options can range from home care to surgery.
Chest Pain Treatment in Northern New Jersey
While chest pain can be scary, its underlying causes may also be minor. Even if the cause of your chest pain can have severe complications, many cases benefit from early diagnosis and intervention to prevent your condition from getting worse.
Do you want to find a treatment for your chest pains? Here at the Hudson MD Group, we provide both primary and specialty care to help you live your best life. To know more about our services, call us at (973) 705-4914 or send us a message. You may also visit our location nearest you.
