Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes & Diagnosis

Chest pain is a symptom that may not be related to the heart but should never be ignored. The pain you feel may be due to a number of reasons and a timely evaluation is critical.

Chest pain symptoms can vary depending on the underlying cause. It can feel like:

• An uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, burning, tightness, crushing, or searing pain in the center of the chest
• Pain, numbness, pinching, or prickling sensations may also radiate to the back, neck, jaw, shoulders, stomach, or a sudden heaviness, weakness or aching in one or both arms
• Other combined symptoms could include shortness of breath, heat/flushing or a cold sweat, lightheadedness or dizziness, sudden nausea or vomiting, or unusual fatigue

Chest pain can last for several minutes or come and go. It can be a sign of a serious condition, like a heart attack. It is important to get immediate medical attention as it could worsen over time and lead to other complications. Prompt diagnosis and treatment can also help protect your heart from permanent damage.

An evaluation will help identify the source of your chest pain, which could be for a number of these reasons:

• Heart issues: Heart attack, angina, myocarditis, pericarditis, and coronary artery disease (CAD)
• Lung issues: Pneumonia, pleurisy, blood clots, and pulmonary embolism
• Digestive issues: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), heartburn, indigestion, stomach ulcers, and gallstones
• Muscle and bone issues: Chest injuries, strained muscles, costochondritis, and injured ribs
• Other issues: Anxiety, depression, panic attacks, stress, and shingles

At Cardiac Associates of North Jersey, we provide state-of-the-art assessments and specialize in cardiac testing at our on-site imaging and lab testing. Our proven testing methods determines if your chest pain requires cardiovascular care and management. Our board-certified cardiologists will conduct a thorough diagnosis to differentiate cardiac chest pain from other non-cardiac causes for the proper and most effective treatment.

• Comprehensive Assessment: Our team performs a thorough evaluation, including a detailed medical history, physical examination, and risk factor assessment to understand the nature of your chest pain.
• State-of-the-Art Cardiac Testing: We utilize advanced diagnostic tests and noninvasive stress testing to assess your heart's condition and function accurately.
• Personalized Treatment: If we determine that your chest pain is heart-related, we develop a personalized treatment and management plan.

If you experience chest tightness or discomfort of any kind, please contact us for a comprehensive chest pain evaluation. Taking proactive measures will reduce the risk of further complications that could worsen over time.

Schedule a Same-Day or Next-Day appointment with our board-certified cardiologists and specialized medical team.

We accept Medicare and all major healthcare plans. In addition, we proudly collaborate with the Atlantic Accountable Care Organization (ACO) to ensure that your health comes first.