Chest Pain

Chest pain has numerous possible causes, from musculoskeletal problems to digestive tract disorders. Bhaskar Purushottam, MD, at Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates in Rapid City, South Dakota, specializes in diagnosing and treating cardiovascular causes of chest pain. If you feel chest pain that’s new, severe, or lasts more than a few minutes (especially if it comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea), seek emergency care. Call Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates for non-emergency chest pain or request an evaluation online today.

What is chest pain?

Chest pain is any discomfort you feel in the chest area. This can include aching, pressure, tightness, burning, or even sharp pain.

Sometimes, chest pain spreads to your neck, back, jaw, or arms. While not all chest pain is serious, you should never ignore it.

What causes chest pain?

Chest pain can have many causes. It might come from your heart but could also be related to your lungs, muscles, ribs, or stomach. Common causes include acid reflux, muscle strain, and anxiety.

Not all chest pain is a sign of a heart problem, and only a medical professional can tell for sure. Serious causes of heart-related chest pain include angina (chest pain triggered by diminished blood flow to the heart) and heart attacks.

How do I know if chest pain is from my heart?

Heart-related chest pain often feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness. It might happen during activity or stress and go away with rest.

If chest pain comes on suddenly, feels intense, or is combined with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or dizziness, it could be a heart attack. Call 911 right away if this happens.

What will a cardiologist do to find the cause of chest pain?

At Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates, Dr. Purushottam begins with a detailed history and physical exam. He also does an electrocardiogram (EKG) to check your heart’s electrical activity and may order a stress test or cardiac imaging to better understand what’s going on.

If Dr. Purushottam suspects blocked arteries, he might recommend a procedure called an angiogram to take a closer look.

What treatment might I need for chest pain?

Treatment for cardiac chest pain depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. For many patients, medications are the first step. These may include drugs that achieve the following:

• Improve blood flow
• Lower blood pressure
• Reduce heart workload
• Prevent blood clots

Lifestyle changes are also essential and involve eating a heart-healthy diet, quitting smoking, exercising regularly, and managing stress.

If your chest pain is due to blocked arteries, you might benefit from cardiac stenting to restore blood flow. This procedure relieves your symptoms and prevents serious heart problems in the future.

For non-emergency chest pain, visit Midwest Heart and Vascular Associates for an accurate diagnosis. Call the office to arrange a consultation or book an appointment online today.