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Chest Pain

Chest Pain

Chest Pain services offered in Newport and Jefferson City, TN

Chest pain is one of the most common reasons people go to the emergency room or visit their doctor. At Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates in Jefferson City, and Newport, Tennessee, Pragnesh Patel, MD, and the team offer advanced diagnostic testing to determine if a heart condition is responsible for your chest pain. For a comprehensive chest pain evaluation from a highly skilled team, call the office or schedule an appointment online today.

Chest Pain Q&A

What is chest pain?

Chest pain includes any type of discomfort you feel between your neck and abdomen. Pain may range from mild to severe, occur suddenly, or come and go. 

Chest pain is a symptom of concern because it’s a common sign of a heart attack. If you have chest pain and suspect you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

What causes chest pain?

Though you may only connect chest pain to heart problems, the discomfort may come from any of the organs that are in your chest, including your heart, lungs, esophagus, muscles, or ribs.

Common causes of chest pain include:

 

Heart problems

A heart attack is a serious condition that causes severe, crushing pain that may radiate into your arm. If you have chest pain during exercise, you may have angina — a common symptom of coronary artery disease (CAD).

 

Lung conditions

Chest pain is also a symptom of a pulmonary embolism (PE), a life-threatening condition that requires immediate emergency room care. You can also have chest pain with pneumonia or a collapsed lung. 

 

Digestive problems

Acid reflux, gallstones, and a stomach ulcer also cause pain in the chest area. 

 

Other causes

Muscle strains, broken ribs, and shingles are additional conditions that cause discomfort in the chest.

 

What tests do I need for chest pain?

The team at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates determines what types of tests you need when you come in with concerns about chest pain after an initial evaluation. Testing may include:

 

Electrocardiogram (EKG)

An EKG is a simple test that checks your heart’s electrical activity at that moment in time. An EKG can show signs of a heart attack or an arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat). 

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that all people with acute or chronic chest pain undergo EKG testing to look for signs of acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a condition in which there’s a reduction in blood flow to the heart. 

 

Echocardiography (echo)

An echo is an ultrasound test that evaluates the function and structure of your heart. The team at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates performs an echo to look for blockages in the coronary arteries, heart valve disorders, and structural abnormalities.

They also do a Doppler ultrasound during an echo. This test shows the movement of blood through your heart.

Nuclear Stress Test

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To schedule your chest pain evaluation at Genesis Heart & Vascular Associates, call the office or book an appointment online today.