Your body is prone to different types of malfunctions. You will often experience frightening pain in your chest, which may be severe or light depending on the cause. Some of the pain may not be threatening but need a medical professional to determine your condition’s cause, severity, and nature. You can only manage your chest pain in Covington at Louisiana Heart and Vascular, where a team of specialists will diagnose and treat your problem.
At Louisiana Heart and Vascular, the team of specialists will perform diagnostic tests to get to the root cause of your chest pain. They will then formulate a plan to provide personalized care for your condition. For efficient care and accurate diagnoses of chest pain, seek services from experts at Louisiana Heart and Vascular. Contact them today or book online to schedule an appointment.
Overview of Chest Pain
The discomfort that you experience and occurs between your lower neck and belly is usually chest pain. It is also referred to as angina. Chest pain can indicate the presence of different conditions such as heart attacks and issues affecting the lungs.
Symptoms Related to Chest Pain
Chest pain exhibits various symptoms that include:
- Pain that gets worse on activity
- Difficulty breathing
- A cough
- Fatigue
- Chest tightness or pressure
- Pain that varies in intensity
- Swollen legs and feet
- Excessive sweating
- Nausea or vomiting
- Swollen neck veins
- Abdominal pain
- Weakness
- Lightheadedness or fainting
- Malaise
- Feeling of a fluttering or rapidly beating heart
Causes of Chest Pain
Chest pain occurs due to a variety of reasons that include:
Heart-Related Causes
Chest pain may occur due to problems related to the heart and its surroundings and include:
- Congestive heart failure
- Heart attacks
- Heart disease (coronary artery disease)
- Irregular heart rhythms
- Dissected or ruptured aorta
Lung-Related Causes
There are also some potential lung-related causes which include:
- Collapsed lung (pneumothorax)
- A blood clot leading to an artery blockage in the lungs
Digestion-Related Causes
The digestive tract also contributes to chest main, and the causes include:
- Gastritis or peptic ulcers
- Gallbladder conditions, such as gallstones
- Heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Esophageal spasms, tears, or disorders
Other Causes
Besides the heart, lungs, and digestive tract, other factors that contribute to chest pain include:
- Muscle spasms or excessive coughing
- Fractures to the rib cage
- Cancer
- Anxiety or panic attacks
- Bruises or trauma from injuries
Risk Factors of Chest Pain
You are likely to experience chest pain at any given point if you have the following history:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Older age
- A history of tobacco use
- High cholesterol or triglyceride levels
- Family history of chest pain
- High blood pressure
Prevention Measures
You are required to maintain a healthy lifestyle and avoid illnesses that may trigger chest pain. Some of the precautions to undertake may include:
- Always observe your weight
- Reduce intake of alcohol to the recommended minimum
- Getting the flu shot annually
- Ensure you monitor other conditions such as high blood pressure
- Quitting smoking
- Minimizing stress and anxiety
- Regular exercising
A healthy lifestyle is one without difficulties and any pain in your body. Ensure you are not struggling with chest pain by visiting Louisiana Heart and Vascular. Call or book an online consultation today to start your treatment.