Chest pain is often viewed as a potential heart attack symptom. While heart attacks are without question one of the leading medical emergencies one can face, there can be many possible reasons for chest pain. It’s even possible that some of these reasons may be less critical. Dr. Maria Tehrani, a reputable heart surgeon caring for patients in Westwood, Beverly Hills, and across Los Angeles, shares insight on other causes of chest pain and helps in understanding the symptoms that require timely medical attention.

Heart Attack: A Quick Review

When you hear the medical term myocardial infarction, it means a heart attack. Heart attack occurs when there is an obstruction of blood supply to your heart, this is usually due to a blood clot or plaque within the arteries. Following symptoms are most common:

– Sudden and intense pain in chest or pressure within the chest
– Pain in arms, shoulders, neck, jaw or back
– Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
– Nausea, sweating or vertigo
– Fatigue or Unexplained Weakness in females

If you have these symptoms and live around Westwood or anywhere else in Greater Los Angeles, you need to call Emergency Services and get Medical Attention as Foremost as Possible.

Other Possible Causes of Chest Pain

1. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD, or Acid Reflux Disease, occurs due to the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus, leading to chest pain or discomfort, which usually occurs after meals, or while lying down. Common triggers include spicy food, caffeine, alcohol, and overeating. Through the right diet, medication, and lifestyle changes, GERD can usually be effectively managed.

2. Muscle Strain or Rib Injury

Heavy lifting, intense exercise, or trauma such as falls can lead to muscle strain or the injury of ribs and the surrounding tissues. A sharp, localized pain that increases with movement, coughing, and deep breathing is common. Resting, icing, applying heat, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers usually provide relief.

3. Panic Attacks and Anxiety Disorders

Inhabitants of busy urban areas like Westwood, or the greater Los Angeles region experience stress-related chest pain due to anxiety or panic attacks. Supplemental signs tend to be rapid heart rate, breathlessness, dizziness, fear, and a feeling of doom. These conditions can be greatly improved with some stress management, counseling, meditation, or medication.

4. Costochondritis

Sharp discomfort in the chest may be costochondritis, an inflammation of cartilage in the ribs. Usually, pain becomes more intense when taking deep breaths, coughing, or touching the chest area. Treatment includes rest alongside pain and inflammation medication.

5. Pulmonary Issues

Chest pain can also stem from various respiratory conditions like pneumonia, bronchitis, pulmonary embolism, and others. These conditions are usually accompanied with symptoms like coughs, fever, chills, or tightening of the chest. Pulmonary embolisms require immediate medical assistance as they could be fatal.

6. Pericarditis

Chest pain due to pericarditis or an inflammation of the heart becomes quite severe. Symptoms include sharp pain in the chest that makes laying down or reclining unbearable. Sitting up or leaning somewhat alleviates the pain. Pericarditis pain is accompanied with aches, low fevers, and heart palpitations.

When Should You See a Doctor?

Describing chest pain accurately can be quite hard and identifying the pain’s cause is next to impossible without medical help. Immediate medical assistance should be considered for persistent pain or severe discomfort alongside difficulty breathing, fainting, or dizziness.

Comprehensive heart evaluations alongside treatment plans designed for the individual patient are accurately executed by Dr. Maria Tehrani and her well renowned cardiac team in Westwood, Los Angeles.

Heart Care in Westwood and Los Angeles Obsession

Patients from Westwood, Beverly Hills, and all other parts of Los Angeles region trust Dr. Maria Tehrani for any cardiology work which includes but is not limited to heart surgery, advanced cardiac procedures, simple checkups, and expert diagnosis. Results from timely intervention and early detection can drastically improve one’s wellbeing and quality of life.

Schedule an appointment or a consultation with Dr. Maria Tehrani by calling our Westwood office today. Your heart, like everything else in life, deserves care and attention.