Chest discomfort is often believed to indicate a heart attack by a large portion of the general population. However, it is not always the case. Heart problems are the most common cause of chest discomfort; hence, patients seek emergency treatment as soon as possible when experiencing such symptoms. However, there are a lot of other things that might go wrong to cause chest discomfort. Read on for the truth behind three common beliefs regarding chest pain Port Saint Lucie and advice on what to do if you are experiencing it.
- If you are experiencing chest discomfort, it must be a heart attack.
Your chest houses more than just your heart, including muscles, bones, and nerves. In addition to the lungs and digestive system, this region houses your chest and upper chest. Consequently, it’s safe to say that any of these factors, and more, may indeed trigger chest discomfort.
For example, it is very uncommon for chest discomfort to be misdiagnosed as coming from the stomach or intestines. Inflammation of the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breast bone may also cause significant pain. The discomfort you’re feeling in your chest may result entirely from something else, such as a panic attack, asthma, or pneumonia in your lungs. Often, it is difficult for even the doctor to determine whether the discomfort is cardiac in origin.
In any case, it is always a good idea to be checked out by a professional rather than attempting to diagnose yourself. A diagnosis may not alleviate your symptoms, but at least you will know what is wrong.
- You can only feel chest discomfort in your chest
That is not the case. This pain might be radiating to other parts of your body. Additional indicators accompany most cases of chest discomfort. Instances of such signs may include:
- Experiencing difficulty breathing
- Perspiring heavily
- Having a general malaise
- Intense pain in the jaw
- Tingling and aching in the left arm
Keep in mind that heartache is often felt from the inside. You can’t make the anguish in your heart feel worse by pushing on its outside. Furthermore, it is rare for heart-related discomfort to worsen when you take a big breath. On the contrary, these sensations point to a problem with your muscles or lungs rather than your heart.
- Every person experiences chest discomfort caused by the heart in the same way
The causes of chest discomfort might vary from person to person. Pain or symptoms associated with a heart attack could be a little bit distinct or abnormal in women, older adults, and diabetics. For instance, women are more prone than males to have chest discomfort during periods of inactivity, such as sleep or rest.
Additionally, nerve damage in people with diabetes may prevent them from experiencing heart-related discomfort before a heart attack. However, heart-related chest discomfort is more often perceived as pressure than pain. One such analogy is an “elephant on the chest.” This discomfort usually sets in after some physical effort or mental concentration has been required or when the heart is under increased stress and subsides when you relax.
Seek medical attention if your lack of health is new and persistent. Suppose you are experiencing nausea, shortness of breath, and sweating while at rest; in addition to the pressure in your chest, you should go straight to the emergency department.
