However, there are many different causes of chest pain other than the heart. In fact, according to statistics, only 10% of chest pain is caused by the heart.
What causes chest pain?
The most common cause of chest pain is rheumatic diseases. In addition, trauma and impacts experienced in situations such as traffic accidents can also cause chest pain. Severe impacts can damage the chest muscles, cracks and fractures can occur in the ribs, and chest pain can occur as an extension of these. Spinal diseases can also cause chest pain. Chest pain is also a symptom of a heart attack. Ischemic heart disease, intravascular coagulation in the lungs, aortic rupture, and pericarditis can cause chest pain. However, as we mentioned above, 90% of chest pain is due to non-cardiac causes. Lung and diaphragm inflammations, masses in the abdomen, esophageal diseases, pressure from gas in the abdomen, and breast diseases in women also cause chest pain.
What are the symptoms of chest pain?
There are many different factors that can cause and trigger chest pain. Symptoms of chest pain associated with heart problems include:
- Burning, pressure, tightness in the chest
- Burning pain radiating to the jaw, neck, shoulder, back and arm
- Pain that increases with movement and may vary in intensity
Symptoms of chest pain not related to the heart can be listed as follows;
- Pain after eating
- Pain that varies in intensity depending on body position
- Pain during deep breathing, pain that increases with coughing
Diagnosis of chest pain
In diagnosing chest pain, doctors start with the patient’s medical history and the information the patient provides about the pain. Doctors also use imaging methods during the diagnosis phase.
How are chest pains treated?
Chest pain is treated with different methods depending on the cause of the pain;
- Medicines
- Physiotherapy
- Nerve blocks
- Appropriate spinal cord posterior root blockade and radiofrequency treatment
- Sympathetic ganglion blockade and radiofrequency therapy
- Blockade and radiofrequency treatment of the intercostal nerves located under the rib bones
- Injections of medication into the pleura
- Spinal cord stimulation, especially for heart pains that do not respond to treatment (angina pectoris)