You have just finished eating dinner and you begin to feel a burning sensation in your chest. The best thing to do is to take an anti-acid and ignore it until it goes away. Right?.... WRONG!
Heart attacks account for thousands of deaths every year in the U.S. Many of these lives could have been saved if the victims had only taken their symptoms seriously and sought help. It can be confusing because cardiac pain is not always severe, and not all people feel the same kinds of symptoms. Any type of chest discomfort can indicate heart disease, so don't delay in seeing a doctor if you experience these symptoms.

 

Chest Pain From the Heart

Chest discomfort that is cardiac related, called angina, typically comes on with exertion or stress and subsides with rest or relief of stress. Another important thing to remember is that chest pain that comes from the heart can manifest itself in many different ways. Some people feel crushing chest pain and others feel a mild pain or pressure. "I feel like there's an elephant sitting on my chest" is a frequent complaint. It is not uncommon for the discomfort to begin in or radiate to your jaw, one or both arms (usually the left), upper back or neck.
Chest pain from a heart attack is similar to angina but usually lasts longer and can be more severe. It is often accompanied by other symptoms such as sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, clammy skin and weakness. But keep in mind, mild symptoms can occur for days or weeks before a coronary artery becomes completely blocked. If medical intervention is sought early enough, the heart attack can often be prevented from ever happening.

 

Call Your Doctor Now If You Think You're Having Angina

If you experience angina-like symptoms with exertion or under a stressful situation, call your physician immediately. If your symptoms do not go away with rest, call 911 and get to the nearest emergency room. If you are having a heart attack, every minute counts. If you get to the hospital in time, a clot-dissolving medication can be given which may restore the flow of blood to your heart before any damage is done to the heart muscle. So no matter what you are doing, don't hesitate to get help if you think you are having a heart attack.

 

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

• There are a variety of non-cardiac causes of chest pain. These causes include:
   

• Strained muscles
   

• An injury such as a bruised or broken rib
   

• Heartburn (usually from a hiatal hernia or eating too much)
   

• Muscle spasms in the esophagus
   

• Pleurisy (inflammation of the lining of the lungs)
   

• Severe anxiety and panic disorders
   

Generally speaking, chest discomfort is not normal no matter what the cause. It is important to seek medical attention, and be able to describe what you are feeling. Think about what the pain feels like, when it occurs and what makes if feel better or worse. When did the pain first start and how often do you feel it? Being able to answer these questions will help your doctor determine the cause and find the best treatment path to follow - and perhaps save your life.