Chest pain is a common symptom that may develop from any number of health conditions. However, chest pain is a serious symptom because it may indicate problems with your heart or lungs. The team of vein and vascular experts at Commonwealth Vein Center in Colonial Heights, Richmond, and McLean, Virginia, provides comprehensive evaluations to find the underlying cause of your chest pain and give you the right treatment. Call the office nearest you or schedule an appointment online today.
Any pain that affects the area below your neck and above your belly button may be labeled as chest pain. The type of pain you feel may depend on the cause. In some cases, the pain may radiate from the chest into the neck, shoulder, or jaw.
When experiencing heart-related chest pain, you may have:
With heart-related chest pain, you may develop something called angina, which is a type of chest pain that occurs during physical activity. That type of chest pain may be a symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD).
You can develop chest pain from any number of causes, including conditions not related to your heart. In addition to CAD, heart-related chest pain may be a sign you’re having a heart attack, or you have pericarditis (inflammation of the pericardium).
Other conditions that cause chest pain include:
Though your chest pain may not be a serious medical concern, it’s not a symptom you should ignore. If your chest pain is sudden and severe, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room for care.
When you visit Commonwealth Vein Center for a chest pain evaluation, your provider asks detailed questions about your symptoms, medical history, and family history.
They conduct a physical examination and may request diagnostic tests to find the underlying cause of your chest pain. Testing may include:
An EKG is a painless, noninvasive test that measures your heart’s electrical activity.
An echocardiogram is an ultrasound test that evaluates the structure and function of your heart. The test might help diagnose CAD, cardiac arrhythmias, valvular disease, or other structural problems that might explain your chest pain.
An angiogram is a specialized test that evaluates your heart and blood vessels. During this test, your provider injects a contrast dye into the blood vessels and then collects images of your heart and coronary arteries.
The Commonwealth Vein Center team customizes your chest pain treatment plan based on the underlying cause. Treatment may include lifestyle changes or medications to manage a specific heart condition.
When appropriate, the team may recommend surgical interventions to treat your heart condition.
For a chest pain evaluation from a skilled and compassionate team, call Commonwealth Vein Center or schedule a consultation online today.
