Chest Pain Symptoms

• When did the chest pain start?
• Chest pain constant or random?
• Where in the Chest is the Chest Pain?
• Do You Have Pain Elsewhere?
• Type of Chest Pain?
• What Helps Chest Pain?
• When Does Chest Pain is Becoming Worse?
• More Symptoms

When did chest pain start?

This helps determine if the pain is acute, temporary or chronic. If the pain is acute possible causes may be

• Pericarditis
• Rib fractures
• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pneumothorax

If chest pain is chronic, the following medical problems should be considered

• Angina
• Pesophagitis
• Hiatus hernia
• Chest wall problems

Chest pain constant or random?

Constant chest pain can be a symptoms of

• Heart attack
• Pulmonary infarction
• Dissecting aneurysm
• Pneumonia

Chest pain that comes and goes can be a symptom of

• Angina
• Tietze's syndrome
• Da Costa's syndrome

Where in the Chest is the Chest Pain?

Heart attack or angina are typically behind the breastbone while dissecting aneurysm is behind the sternum.

Do You Have Pain Elsewhere?

• Chest pain due to heart attack pain may be also felt in the neck, jaw and down left side of arm
• Esophageal pain may radiate to throat or back
• Dissecting aneurysm may radiate between the shoulder blades, abdomen or legs

Type of Chest Pain

Heart attack may be described as heavy and crushing. Esophageal pain is usually burning. Dissecting aneurysm is tearing and searing.

What Helps Chest Pain?

Sometimes rest can make the pain go away, but the pain comes back, making it difficult to tell what makes the chest pain go away. Possible medications are:

• Antacids - if these medications help relieve chest pain, the chest pain cause is possibly oesophagitis and hiatus hernia
• Nitroglycerine spray - if this helps relieve chest pain, angina or esophagusmay spasm may be the cause of chest pain

When Does Chest Pain is Becoming Worse?

If breathing makes chest pain worse, possible conditions could be

• Pleurisy
• Costochondritis
• Fractured or broken rib
• Pneumothorax

If the chest pain increases from movement like bending, lifting, straining or lying down, possible causes are pericarditis or arthritis. If certain foods cause chest pain, possible problem can be esophageal reflux or spasms.

Family and Personal History of Chest-Related Problems

Family history of any of the following problems could indicate the cause of chest pain

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Rheumatic fever
• Heart attacks
• Asthma
• Emphysema
• Marfan's syndrome
• Dissecting aneurysm
• Deep venous thrombosis
• heart bypass surgery

More Chest Pain Symptoms

Family history of any of the following problems could indicate the cause of chest pain

• Coughing blood - pulmonary embolism
• Shortness of breath - pneumothorax, pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, congestive heart failure due to heart attack
• Tasting Acid - esophagus reflux
• Rashes - skin problems
• Anxiety - palpitations, nervousness, tremor, shortness of breath, rapid breathing
• Fever - pneumonia