Chest pain takes many different forms. From an ongoing dull ache to sharp pains that come and go, experiencing chest pain can make you worry that you’re having a heart attack.
While chest pain can indicate a heart attack, there are lots of other possible causes, and they’re not all life-threatening. Muscle strains, acid reflux, and even indigestion could cause chest discomfort, as pain is your body’s way of telling you something is wrong.
Chest pain has a variety of causes, but it’s not normal and you should never ignore it. Kunal Patel, MD and our cardiac team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute specialize in diagnosing and treating chest pain, and we’re here to help you figure out what’s causing your discomfort.
Your chest includes the area on the front of your body, from your stomach to your shoulders. It contains lots of bones and muscles, and the two main organs in your chest are your heart and lungs.
A few common vascular conditions that may cause chest pain include:
Sometimes, chest pain has nothing to do with your heart or vascular system. Other conditions that can cause chest discomfort include:
Different conditions cause different types of pain, but you shouldn’t try to self-diagnose your condition.
If you notice mild-to-moderate chest pain without any other symptoms, schedule a cardiology appointment to have an exam. At NJ Cardiovascular Institute, we offer comprehensive diagnostic testing, including stress tests and echocardiograms, to identify any irregularities in your heart’s function.
Regular doctor’s appointments are important, even if you aren’t bothered by chest pain. High blood pressure, high cholesterol, and heart disease are very common health issues that can cause heart problems - but they don’t have noticeable warning signs.
Dr. Patel and our team want to make heart health part of our patients’ lives. Our Heart Smart Program makes it easy to implement healthy lifestyle changes and improve your heart health one step at a time.
Heart attack, pulmonary embolism, and other serious conditions are life-threatening and require emergency medical care. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department if you notice symptoms including:
If you’re unsure whether you or someone near you is experiencing a medical emergency, don’t hesitate to seek immediate medical attention.
Chest pain isn’t normal, but experiencing it doesn’t mean you need to panic. Turn to Dr. Patel and our team at NJ Cardiovascular Institute for quality heart care. Call the New Jersey office nearest you or request your first appointment online today.
