Chest pain

Chest pain is pain in any region of the chest.

Many diseases may affect the chest, and one of the most common symptoms is chest pain.

Even though chest pain may not be related to a heart problem, noncardiac chest pain can still be due to significant disease.

Cardiovascular diseases frequently do not have symptoms or may cause chest pain or shortness of breath.

2 million people are admitted annually for workup of acute coronary syndrome.

The most common symptom is chest pain, often radiating to the left shoulder or angle of the jaw, crushing, central and associated with nausea and sweating.

In adults the most common causes of chest pain include: gastrointestinal (42%), coronary artery disease (31%), musculoskeletal (28%), pericarditis (4%) and pulmonary embolism (2%).

Symptoms of a PE may include shortness of breath, chest pain particularly upon breathing in, and coughing up blood.

In adults the most common causes of chest pain include: gastrointestinal (42%), coronary artery disease (31%), musculoskeletal (28%), pericarditis (4%) and pulmonary embolism (2%). Pericarditis - This condition can be the result of viral infection such as coxsackie virus and echovirus, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, uremia, and after myocardial infarction (Dressler syndrome). The chest pain is often pleuritic in nature (associated with respiration) which is aggravated when lying down and relieved on sitting forward, sometimes, accompanied by fever. On auscultation, pericardial friction rub can be heard.

Symptoms typically include sudden onset of sharp chest pain.

In adults the most common causes of chest pain include: gastrointestinal (42%), coronary artery disease (31%), musculoskeletal (28%), pericarditis (4%) and pulmonary embolism (2%).

A common symptom is chest pain or discomfort which may travel into the shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw.

Psychogenic causes of chest pain can include panic attacks, however, this is a diagnosis of exclusion.

There may be a fear of losing control or chest pain.

Cardiac chest pain is called angina pectoris.

Angina, also known as angina pectoris, is chest pain or pressure, usually due to not enough blood flow to the heart muscle.

Other associated symptoms with chest pain can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety, and sweating.

Acute coronary syndrome frequently presents with retrosternal chest discomfort and difficulty catching the breath.

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy - It is the hypertrophy of interventricular septum that causes outflow obstruction of left ventricle. Dyspnea and chest pain commonly occurs during daily activities. Sometimes, syncope may happen. On physical examination, significant findings include: loud systolic murmur and palpable triple apical impulse due to palpable presystolic fourth heart sound.

It may also result in chest pain or fainting.

Other associated symptoms with chest pain can include nausea, vomiting, dizziness, shortness of breath, anxiety, and sweating.

Cardiac, as palpitations, tachycardia, or chest pain.

Myocarditis

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain, decreased ability to exercise, and an irregular heartbeat.

Arrhythmia - atrial fibrillation and a number of other arrhythmias can cause chest pain.

In more serious cases there may be lightheadedness, passing out, shortness of breath, or chest pain.

Pneumonia

Typically symptoms include some combination of productive or dry cough, chest pain, fever, and trouble breathing.

Lung malignancy

The most common symptoms are coughing (including coughing up blood), weight loss, shortness of breath, and chest pains.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease - The pain is aggravated when lying down or after meals. Persons may describe this as a heartburn. Besides, they may also complain of tasting bitter contents from the stomach.

Symptoms include the taste of acid in the back of the mouth, heartburn, bad breath, chest pain, vomiting, breathing problems, and wearing away of the teeth.

Arrhythmia - atrial fibrillation and a number of other arrhythmias can cause chest pain.

Since most cases of AF are secondary to other medical problems, the presence of chest pain or angina, signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) such as weight loss and diarrhea, and symptoms suggestive of lung disease can indicate an underlying cause.

Tuberculosis

Symptoms may include chest pain and a prolonged cough producing sputum.

Achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, and other motility disorders of the esophagus

Achalasia is characterized by difficulty in swallowing, regurgitation, and sometimes chest pain.

Achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, and other motility disorders of the esophagus

Diseases may cause difficulty swallowing (dysphagia), painful swallowing (odynophagia), chest pain, or cause no symptoms at all.

Achalasia, nutcracker esophagus, and other motility disorders of the esophagus

It causes difficulty swallowing, or dysphagia, to both solid and liquid foods, and can cause significant chest pain; it may also be asymptomatic.

Chest pain is a common presenting problem:

In acute care settings, such as emergency rooms, reports of chest pain are among the most common chief complaints.

Mitral valve prolapse syndrome - Those affected are usually thin females presented with chest pain which is sharp in quality, localized at the apex, and relieved when lying down. Other symptoms include: shortness of breath, fatigue, and palpitations. On auscultation, midsystolic click followed by late systolic murmur can be heard, louder when person is in standing position.

Historically, the term mitral valve prolapse syndrome has been applied to MVP associated with palpitations, atypical chest pain, dyspnea on exertion, low body mass index, and electrocardiogram abnormalities in the setting of anxiety, syncope, low blood pressure, Migraine-Like Headache, orthostatic hypotension, lightheadedness, and other signs suggestive of autonomic nervous system dysfunction (dysautonomia).

Pericarditis - This condition can be the result of viral infection such as coxsackie virus and echovirus, tuberculosis, autoimmune disease, uremia, and after myocardial infarction (Dressler syndrome). The chest pain is often pleuritic in nature (associated with respiration) which is aggravated when lying down and relieved on sitting forward, sometimes, accompanied by fever. On auscultation, pericardial friction rub can be heard.

The disease consists of a persistent low-grade fever, chest pain (usually pleuritic in nature), pericarditis (usually evidenced by a pericardial friction rub), and/or a pericardial effusion.

Costochondritis or Tietze's syndrome - an inflammation of costochondral junction. Any movements or palpation of the chest can reproduce the symptoms.

The condition is a common cause of chest pain.