Chest pain ( Angina ) :
Chest pain occurs when the blood supply to the heart is reduced due to narrowing or blockage of the blood vessels around the heart.
Symptoms of Chest Pain :
- The main symptom of Angina is chest pain. This pain can be:
- A feeling of numbness, pain, “heaviness” or “tightness” in the chest
- Spread to the arms, neck, jaw or back
- Starting with physical labor
- Chest pain itself is not life-threatening, but prolonged chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack.
Call 999 immediately if:
- You or someone else has these symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that does not go away – it may feel like pressure, tightness or squeezing.
- The pain spreads to the left arm, or both arms, or to the neck, jaw, back, or abdomen.
- Bewooshi
- Seizures or fits
- Difficulty breathing (snoring or wheezing)
- Shortness of breath, nausea and sweating along with chest pain
Contact your GP if you have these symptoms :
- If you have undiagnosed chest pain and have chest pain during exercise that subsides after a few minutes of rest.
- You have already been diagnosed with chest pain and your symptoms are coming on more often or even at rest.
Diagnosis of Chest Pain :
- To diagnose chest pain, you will be examined and may need several tests.
- You will also be asked some questions about the symptoms you are experiencing, the causes of the pain, your family medical history and lifestyle risk factors (eg smoking).
Tests for Angina :
- You may also be given certain tests to check whether you already have heart disease or are at risk for it.
- Weighing
- Blood pressure measurement
- Taking a blood sample to check cholesterol levels, diabetes or anemia
If it is thought that you have chest pain, you may be sent to the hospital for some further tests. These may include:
· Electrocardiogram (ECG) – measures the rhythm and electrical activity of the heart
· Exercise Tolerance Test (ECT) – measures heart activity during exercise
· Myocardial Perfusion Scan (MPS or MYoview) – measures how well blood is getting to the heart
· Coronary Angiography – This shows if your coronary arteries are narrowed and how severe any blockages are.