Understanding the Different Types of Chest Pain

The occurrence of chest pain has been one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits. However, it must be noted that not all chest pains are the same, and not all chest pains warrant emergency care. This is because chest pains can be caused by several factors, and determining the cause of the pain is critical in providing the appropriate kind of care.

Causes of chest pains can generally be three things: a heart problem, acid reflux, or a musculoskeletal injury. To better understand the different types of chest pain, there are several characteristics that we can look at. They include the following: first, the quality of pain; second, the time of day that it usually occurs; three, its aggravating factors; and four, its relieving factors.

Cardiac-related chest pains usually feels like heaviness, pressure, burning, squeezing, crushing, or even constriction. It feels deep, and very difficult to describe. The pain is diffused instead of it being localized or easy to pinpoint.

Aggravating factors, or things that bring on the pain, include forceful movement of the upper arm like carrying a heavy bag or shoveling snow. As for the relieving factors, it is typical for cardiac-related chest pains to not have any relieving position or activity. This means that the pain is constant and unrelenting.

Also, chest pain that repeatedly occurs in the morning is likely to be cardiac-related.

This type of chest pain is caused by inadequate blood supply to the heart, thus depriving it of oxygen. Do note that a cardiac chest pain is considered as a medical emergency. Heartburn, or chest pain owing to acid reflux, feels a lot like a burning in the chest too, and may be a little difficult to pinpoint as well. However, this one is experienced usually after a heavy meal, and usually occurs with a bitter taste in the throat or mouth.

Take note that acid reflux chest pain tends to lessen with movement, and seems to get better with exercise. And lastly, chest pain due to musculoskeletal injury is usually associated with some form of trauma. If you have been hit hard by someone or something, chances are, your chest muscles are bruised and are suffering from an injury. It is also possible for your rib cage to be broken.

In such cases, you will experience sharp, aching pain, which you will be able to localize and exactly pinpoint its location. When it comes to chest pains, doctors recommend that you err on the side of caution, and always immediately get in touch with your doctor or visit an emergency room upon experiencing symptoms that are out of the ordinary. Chest pains should never be ignored. After all, it is better to be safe than sorry.

The thing about chest pains is that you’ll never know when they will occur. This is why it’s important for you to have access to a 24-hour emergency care.

If you are looking for a 24-hour emergency care facility in Corpus Christi, check out Physicians Premier today. They are able to provide immediate care and urgent care for all types of major and minor emergencies.

Visit Physicians Premier Locations:

• Saratoga Emergency Room
• Staples Corpus Christi Emergency Room
• Ennis Joslin South Padre Island Emergency Room
• Portland Texas Emergency Room
• Calallen Texas Emergency Room
• Bryan Emergency Room
• Bulverde Emergency Room

Saratoga Emergency Room