Chest pain appears in many forms – it may feel like a dull ache or a sharp stab. The pain may radiate to your neck jaw, then spread down the arms. Professionals advise not to ignore Philadelphia chest pain since it may signify a severe problem such as coronary artery disease. Although most chest pains are heart-related, sometimes chest pain may be due to issues in other areas of your body, including the lungs, ribs, and muscles. It is essential to seek medical attention since chest pain can indicate a severe problem. Below are different heart problems that may cause chest pain.
Myocarditis
It is the inflammation of your heart muscle usually due to a virus. The inflammation affects the heart’s functioning and may cause irregular or rapid heart rhythms. The most common signs of myocarditis in its early stages include chest pains, shortness of breath, fatigue, and irregular or fast heartbeat. Clots can form in the heart if the condition worsens, leading to stroke or heart attack. There is no established cause for this condition, but possible causes include viruses, parasites, fungi, and bacteria.
Heart attack
A heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs when there is insufficient blood flow to specific heart muscles, causing the death of cells. The more time it takes to restore blood flow, the more extensive the damage to the heart muscle. The leading cause of myocardial infarction is coronary artery disease. Still, other times a heart attack may be due to severe contraction of the coronary artery that impedes blood flow to the heart muscle. A heart attack usually causes pain at the center or left side of your chest that may last for some minutes and not improve with rest. Patients describe the feeling as uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or pain. Other symptoms include breaking out into a cold sweat, shortness of breath, and unexplained fatigue.
Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is the narrowing or blockage of blood vessels due to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaque. When the blood vessels are blocked, the heart muscles receive less blood and oxygen, causing the cells to die. The disease may cause no signs at its onset stages, but as the arteries narrow, you may experience shortness of breath and chest pain after light activities like jogging or walking up the stairs. Sometimes people experience no symptoms until they have a heart attack.
Aortic dissection
It is a life-threatening condition whereby a tear occurs in the aorta, allowing blood to rush through the opening. As a result, the inner and middle layers dissect, and the condition can be deadly if the blood goes through the outside wall of the aorta. The problem is relatively uncommon, but it usually occurs in older men in the 60s and 70s. The symptoms of aortic dissection mimic those of other heart problems, including severe chest pain, shortness of breath, loss of consciousness, severe stomach pain, and leg pain. An aortic dissection occurs due to a weakened area in the body’s main artery (aorta).
If you have chest pain, book an appointment with your doctor at Corrielus Cardiology.
