CHEST PAIN--WHAT SHOULD I DO?


Chest pain is a very common complaint.  First concerns for most of us  "Am I  having a Heart Attack?" Some people however will choose to ignore or deny the chest pain, attribute it to "indigestion" or some other cause (and there are many causes). The risk of being wrong can be fatal. A full 40-50% of heart attack deaths occur before the patient reaches a hospital. So how do we try to decide if the pain is serious or not? There of course is no fool proof way to differentiate but the following features of cardiac pain can help one decide if immediate medical attention is required.

Heart Pain Features include:

.Pain located in front center of chest, pressure or heavy like and lasts> 60 seconds   
.Pain often felt in arms &/or jaws     
.Pain brought on by exertion, exposure to cold, heavy meals or emotional stress
.Pain usually relieved by rest in <5 minutes
.Pain associated with difficulty breathing &/or excessive sweating
.Pain not sharp or stabbing in nature & not altered by breathing or change in position

The best advice is: DONT TAKE CHANCES !  If in doubt seek medical attention at once. We cardiologists would rather treat 99  "false Alarms" than to miss a single opportunity to provide life saving treatment.

Carolyn please edit as you see fit, shorten if needed, etc.

Have a wonderful Christmas Season & a Healthy Happy 2008.

Bob Goodin