Types of Chest Pain This table explains some of the common causes, signs and symptoms of chest pain. Please remember that this information is a guide only. DO NOT USE FOR DIAGNOSIS. If symptoms persist, or you become unsure or concerned, please speak with your doctor.
Name Cause of chest pain Symptoms of chest pain Location of pain How to relieve chest pain
Angina Angina occurs when there isn't discomfort May be felt in the centre of Rest enough oxygen-rich blood flowing to tightness the chest or across the Anginine – dissolved part of your heart. Angina is caused pressure chest, into the throat or jaw, under the tongue by narrowed coronary arteries. squeezing down the arms, between the or heaviness shoulder blades Nitrolingual spray- dull ache Unstable angina may be sprayed under the Additional symptoms may include: unrelated to activity or tongue stress, comes on more nausea shortness of breath frequently or takes longer to strange feeling or ease tingling/numbness in the Angina symptoms can neck, back, arm, jaw or gradually get worse over 2 to 5 shoulders minutes. Angina usually lasts less light headedness than 15 minutes irregular heart beat
Heart Attack A heart attack happens when plaque similar to angina however unable to pinpoint exact A heart attack is a cracks inside the narrowed coronary last longer than 15 minutes spot medical emergency. artery - causing a blood clot to form. and are not relieved by rest, May be felt in the centre of If the blood clot totally blocks the Anginine or Nitrolingual the chest or across the If pain is not relieved by artery, the heart muscle becomes spray chest, into the throat or jaw, Anginine or Nitrolingual damaged Additional symptoms may include: down the arms, between the spray in 10 to 15 minutes, nausea shoulder blades call 000 for an vomiting ambulance. pale skin shortness of breath Stop any physical activity sweating
Heart attacks can also occur with unusual chest pain or no pain
Types of Chest Pain This table explains some of the common causes, signs and symptoms of chest pain. Please remember that this information is a guide only. DO NOT USE FOR DIAGNOSIS. If symptoms persist, or you become unsure or concerned, please speak with your doctor.
Name Cause of chest pain Symptoms of chest pain Location of pain How to relieve chest pain
‘Stent’ Pain Stent pain is quite common ● sharp ● middle or left side of chest ● relaxation after a coronary stent is ● niggling ● can usually pin point the inserted and is thought to be ● localized spot where it hurts Symptoms will disappear caused by stretching of the ● fleeting with time as stent settles in artery during the procedure. ● comes and goes ● not related to physical activity
Pericarditis is irritation and ● sharp ● middle or left side of chest ● sitting up and leaning Pericarditis swelling “inflammation” of the ● stabbing and can travel to one or forward hearts sac that surrounds the ● pain not relieved with rest both shoulders heart. Causes include: ● pain worse when lying ● viral infection Additional symptoms may include: down and deep breathing ● heart attack ● fever
(Dressler’s ● weakness Syndrome) – usually ● shortness of breath occurs 2-5 weeks after ● coughing heart attack ● heart palpitations (feeling ● recent heart surgery your heart beating faster)
Musculoskeletal It is common to have some ● aches (dull or sharp) ● middle or left side of chest ● try holding a pillow or pain after open chest discomfort after your ● pains ● may last for 6 months or towel against your chest heart surgery surgery as your muscles, ● numbness or tingling on more when you cough or ligaments, bones, nerves and chest sneeze wounds are healing ● skin feels sensitive ● try a different position ● use pain killers regularly ● try massaging and touching chest around the wound to desensitize the nerves
Types of Chest Pain This table explains some of the common causes, signs and symptoms of chest pain. Please remember that this information is a guide only. DO NOT USE FOR DIAGNOSIS. If symptoms persist, or you become unsure or concerned, please speak with your doctor.
Name Cause of chest pain Symptoms of chest pain Location of pain How to relieve chest pain
Pulmonary A pulmonary embolism occurs sharp or stabbing chest pain - middle or on one side of A pulmonary embolism is embolism or “PE” when there is a sudden worse when you take a deep chest a medical emergency. blockage, usually caused by a breath blood clot, of an artery in the burning, aching, dull or heavy doctors will prescribe lung sensation in chest medications to dissolve sudden shortness of breath the clot and prevent cough that can produce blood clots from getting larger stained mucus Additional symptoms may include: fast heart rate sweaty, clammy skin dizziness or light headedness
Gastro GORD occurs when stomach burning chest pain, pressure, middle or on one side of sitting up or standing Oesophageal acid leaks from the stomach discomfort or “heartburn” - chest which can move up upright Reflux Disease into the oesophagus (food often worse after eating to neck and throat antacid medication “GORD” pipe) chest pain not likely to be avoiding certain foods associated with physical activity and drinks or exercise
Anxiety The body’s stress response Pain can be described as: can be located all over stress management causes: sharp, shooting or burning chest area and spread to relaxation - deep tightening of the chest and pressure or chest tension upper back breathing
rib cage muscles rest stomach and intestinal Pain can range from slight to severe distress causing chest pain and can be related to episodes of nervousness, anxiety, fear or elevated stress