Chest Pain Specialist

What is chest pain?

Chest pain refers to any discomfort you feel in your chest area. The type of pain you feel may vary, ranging from a dull ache to a severe sharp sensation that radiates into your neck or shoulder. Burning or pressure in your chest is also a type of chest pain discomfort. 

Though many conditions cause chest pain, the symptom may be a sign of life-threatening conditions that involve your heart or lungs. Given the seriousness of chest pain, it’s not a symptom you should ignore. 

What causes chest pain?

Many conditions may cause chest pain - some are more serious than others. Common causes of chest pain include:

• Heart attack
• Angina — chest pain from poor blood flow through the heart
• Coronary artery disease
• Pulmonary embolism
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Heartburn
• Gallbladder or pancreas conditions
• Muscle strain
• Fractured rib
• Panic attack
• Atrial fibrillation
• Heart failure

With heart-related chest pain, your symptoms may vary. You may feel pressure or tightness in the chest, crushing pain, shortness of breath, or dizziness.

If you’re experiencing these symptoms or suspect you’re having a heart attack, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. 

What happens during a cardiology consultation for chest pain?

When you visit Apex Cardiology Consultants for a chest pain evaluation, you can expect comprehensive and personalized care. The skilled cardiologists specialize in diagnosing and treating heart conditions that cause chest pain.

During the visit, your provider reviews your symptoms, medical history, and family history. They also ask about your lifestyle habits, including your usual diet and exercise routine and daily stressors.

Your provider performs a physical exam and may request diagnostic tests to confirm or rule out a heart condition. Testing may include electrocardiogram (EKG), stress testing, an echocardiogram, cardiac CT, or noninvasive angiogram.

How is chest pain treated?

Treatment for chest pain depends on the cause. Your interventional cardiologist at Apex Cardiology Consultants creates a personalized plan that eases your symptoms, improves heart health, and prevents future heart problems.

Treatment may include:

• Heart-healthy diet
• A personalized exercise program
• Smoking cessation
• Medication to improve high blood pressure or high cholesterol
• Blood thinners
• Artery relaxers (nitroglycerin)

Apex Cardiology Consultants also performs procedures to treat more serious causes of chest pain, such as coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting for coronary artery disease.

Schedule an evaluation at Apex Cardiology Consultants by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.