Experiencing Chest Pain? Here is what it could mean

Cardiology | by Dr. Anil Mishra | Published on 20/07/2022

Did you know that chest pain, which is also referred to as angina, is a characteristic manifestation of a variety of heart diseases and ailments? In this blog, we have elaborated on some such conditions that could be responsible for your chest pain, with the help of the best cardiologist in Kolkata.

Quite often we tend to ignore what our body is trying to tell us and overlook symptoms that could mean something serious. It is important to understand that diseases can manifest themselves in a plethora of ways and these can vary from one person to another. A single symptom may be associated with a variety of different conditions and it is not possible to determine the underlying cause with proper evaluation and assessment. Angina or chest pain can be triggered by multiple conditions, ranging from something as simple as acidity to a condition as serious as a heart attack.

As per the experts from the best cardiac hospital in Kolkata, chest pain may not necessarily be associated with cardiovascular problems but could also be caused by diseases and ailments related to the lungs, gastrointestinal problems, musculoskeletal conditions, stress and anxiety. However, we have specifically focused on chest pain related to heart problems.

• Chest pain due to Coronary Artery Disease - CAD is a potentially serious condition, in which the blood vessels of a person become constricted or blocked. This hinders the normal flow of oxygenated blood to various parts of the body, eventually causing the oxygen-deprived cells to die. As the problem progresses, the chest pain may radiate toward the shoulders and arms. Mild cases of coronary artery disease can be managed with healthy lifestyle changes and medication, however, severe cases may call for the need for surgery. Coronary artery disease, if left untreated, can aggravate and give rise to serious complications. It is a known risk factor for heart failure. Some patients suffering from the condition can also be asymptomatic and may only experience pain during exertion.

• Chest pain due to Myocardial Infarction - This is what we commonly refer to as a heart attack. The condition is triggered by an insufficient supply of oxygenated blood to the heart, as a result of which the heart muscles are severely damaged. This prevents the heart from beating normally, giving rise to a variety of symptoms, the most common of which is chest pain and discomfort. The best heart doctor in Kolkata  suggests that chest pain associated with a heart attack usually radiates towards the jaw, shoulder and arm on the left side.

• Chest pain due to Myocarditis - The thickest muscular layer of the heart is known as the myocardium. It lies between the epicardium and endocardium. Sometimes, the myocardium may get inflamed and there are many reasons that may be responsible for it. The most common of these are viral infection, alcohol, drugs, spider bites, chemotherapy, radiation therapy and snake bites. A person suffering from the condition is quite likely to experience chest pain, which is often accompanied by breathlessness, syncope, lightheadedness, fatigue and fever.

• Chest pain due to Pericarditis - Our heart is surrounded by the pericardium, which is a two-layered sac made up of tissues. Pericarditis is a condition marked by an inflammation in this sac, which may be due to an infection or underlying medical condition like cancer, AIDS, renal failure, rheumatic fever and tuberculosis. The condition is more common in males, especially those lying in the age group of 20 to 50 years. The condition has been associated with various life-threatening complications like pericardial effusion, constrictive pericarditis and cardiac tamponade.

There are several other conditions that can give rise to chest pain and it is very important to go for proper evaluation and assessment if you have been experiencing it.