What is Chest Pain?

Any pain between the belly and the neck. Doctors often use the term chest pain as a way of saying that they don't yet know what is causing your pain.

Causes: You may have chest pain because of a disease in the heart, lungs, stomach, or bowel (colon). Muscles and bones in your chest wall may also cause chest pain. Other causes of chest pain may be anxiety (ang-zi-ih-t), breathing too fast, or gas in your stomach or bowel. Or you may have chest pain because of a blow or injury to your chest.

Signs and Symptoms: You may have pain, burning, or pressure in your chest. You may only have chest pain after eating. Your chest pain may be sharp or dull. The chest pain may be mild or severe. The pain may stay in your chest or move to other places.

Care: Caregivers may do tests to learn what is causing your chest pain. You may have a test called an electrocardiogram (e-lek-tro-kar-d-o-gram) to check your heart. A chest x-ray may also be done. You may be given medicine to help your chest pain. You may need to go into the hospital for tests and treatment. Your care will depend on what is causing the pain.

Do's and Don'ts: You should never drive yourself to the hospital when you have chest pain. Try to live a healthy lifestyle by not smoking and losing weight if you are overweight. Eat foods low in salt and fat but high in fiber (roughage), such as vegetables, whole grains, or fruits. Exercise 3 or more times a week, once your caregiver says its ok. Learn to control your stress.

Care Agreement:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about chest pain and how it can be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care will be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

Record Number: DU2613000030

SOURCE:
"CHEST PAIN." The CareNotes™ System. Englewood, CO: MICROMEDEX, Inc., 2000.