What is chest pain?
Chest pain is a common condition that can manifest as many different symptoms and in many different locations. A person can experience a sharp stabbing, dull aching, tightness, fullness, or burning in the chest, and in some cases this pain may travel down the arm, the back, up into the neck, or the jaw. Intensity of the pain and how long it lasts can also vary on a case by case basis.
It is important to remember that chest pain can have many non life threatening causes, but it can also be the sign of a serious underlying condition related to your heart or lungs. Dr. Jain treats complaints of chest pain from patients seriously and investigates the root cause thoroughly.
What causes chest pain?
Chest pain can be brought on by a wide range of causes. Some serious causes of chest pain include heart attack, aortic dissection, angina, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, chronic stress, infections or a collapsed lung.
It is important to see a doctor right away, even if your pain resolves itself, to determine what the underlying cause of your chest pain is, and to determine the best course of action. Dr. Jain will perform an in depth examination and gather pertinent medical history to look for patients who may be at a higher risk for a serious underlying condition.
How is chest pain treated?
Once Dr. Jain has performed a physical examination, he may order additional imaging and testing to assist in diagnosing the cause of your chest pain. Testing may include x-rays or ultrasound, blood tests, or a minimally-invasive procedure called catheterization to look inside the arteries and look for blockages.
Treatment of your chest pain will then be established once the underlying cause is determined. Some forms of treatment include lifestyle changes or medication. Invasive and non invasive options exist as well.