Identifying the Source of Chest Pain: Heart or Lungs

Dealing with chest pain can be a distressing experience. It is critical to determine if the pain is stemming from the heart or the lungs. While the patient may find it challenging to distinguish, a thorough assessment by a healthcare professional can provide clarity.

Cardiac Pain vs. Pulmonary Pain

Unlike cardiac pain, pulmonary pain often has a distinct characteristic. Pulmonary pain is typically described as pleuritic. This means it fluctuates with breathing and worsens during inhalation and coughing. Cardiac pain, on the other hand, can be ischemic or non-ischemic.

Ischemic Causes

Ischemic causes of cardiac pain include angina and myocardial infarction, also known as a heart attack. These conditions cause a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, leading to pain. Other ischemic causes are pericarditis and mitral valve prolapse.

Non-Ischemic Causes

Non-ischemic causes of cardiac pain involve conditions where there is no lack of oxygen to the heart muscle. These include aortic dissection, which involves a tear in the aorta, and conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pancreatitis, acute cholecystitis, and herpes zoster.

Signs and Symptoms to Watch For

While the pain can vary in presentation, certain symptoms can help differentiate between cardiac and pulmonary pain:

Rapid Heart Beat: This is a common symptom associated with cardiac issues. Reflex Pain: Pain radiating from the chest to the arms and back is often associated with cardiac issues. Rib Pain: Pain localized to the ribs can be due to musculoskeletal conditions.

Other non-specific symptoms include difficulty breathing, which is more indicative of pulmonary issues. Rib pain can also be a sign of musculoskeletal conditions or even herpes zoster.

What to Do When You Experience Chest Pain

For your safety, it's crucial to take chest pain seriously. Here are some steps to follow:

Record the Symptoms: Note when the pain started and any activities that may have triggered it. Assess the Impact: If the pain is ischemic, which is mainly due to a lack of oxygen, you might experience some relief by stopping what you are doing. However, this should not be your primary course of action. Seek Medical Attention: Regardless of the cause, chest pain should be evaluated by a professional. In cases where the pain is severe or is accompanied by difficulty breathing, immediate emergency medical assistance is necessary. In the United States, call 911 to activate the emergency medical system.

Conclusion

When it comes to chest pain, it's best to err on the side of caution. Seeking medical attention can help diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, from a simple muscle spasm to a severe condition like a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Chest pain is a symptom that should never be disregarded.