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Chest pain is a symptom of various serious conditions and is generally considered a medical emergency. It is often used to describe any pain, pressure, squeezing, choking, numbness or any other discomfort in the chest, neck, or upper abdomen, and is often associated with pain in the jaw, head, or arms. It may last from less than a second to days or weeks, can occur frequently or rarely, and can occur sporadically or predictably.
Causes
Cardiac Causes
Other Cardiac Causes
- Inflammation of the sac surrounding heart (pericarditis)
- Aortic dissection
- Coronary spasm
- metabolic syndrome
- endothelial dysfunction
Non Cardiac Causes
- Heartburn
- Panic attack
- Pleurisy
- Costochondritis
- Pulmonary embolism
- Other lung conditions
- Sore muscles
- Injured ribs or pinched nerves
- Swallowing disorders
- Shingles
- Gallbladder or pancreas problems
- Cancer
Symptoms
- Feeling of tightness, squeezing, crushing, burning, choking, or aching similar to "gas" or indigestion.
- No sharp localized pain.
- Precipitated by activity, stress or exertion.
- Usually for short duration, 1 to 15 minutes and relieved by rest.
Natural Cures
- Boil 4-5 pods of garlic in a glass of milk and consume the garlic pods with milk daily to avoid chest pain.
- Take a spoon of Basil Juice with Honey in empty stomach every day.
- Sit down and take slow deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.
- Honeydew + Grape + Watermelon + Milk - Rich in vitamin C and Vitamin B2 that increase cell activity and strengthen body immunity.
- Drink lots of filtered water and hot beverages such as tea
- Add a few drops of eucalyptus or peppermint oil to a bowl of boiling water, place a towel over your head to create a steam tent and inhale the vapors to open your chest.
Treatment
- Prescribed drug nitroglycerin tablet when kept under the tongue, relieves most angina attacks in minutes by acting as a vasodilato, that is it causes the blood vessels to relax so more oxygen-rich blood can pass through.
- Other vasodilating medications for angina and other heart conditions include calcium channel blockers (nifedipine or diltiazem, for example). Increases the heart's oxygen supply. Beta blocker drugs (atenolol, propranolol) decrease the heart's need for oxygen by reducing the heart's workload.
- Aspirin can be used for injury-related pain as well as the inflammation that comes with pericarditis.
- Take an antacid tablet or a spoonful of Maalox, gulp some water, eat a cracker—anything to cool down your raging heartburn. Avoid foods that tend to anger the gastrointestinal system.
- Take a big gulp of club soda, open your mouth and let out a loud belch. Helpful for the pain, that is from gas or a large meal.
- Uncoil yourself. Loosen up. Relax. Meditate. Take a vacation. Or seek professional counseling. Stress and anxiety may also be a reason of chest pain.
- Avoid activities that bring on the pain. Although exercise is important, angina pain may be more prevalent with certain aerobic activities like running or shoveling snow. Find less strenuous workouts like walking or swimming to keep yourself fit.
- Avoid smoking, it constricts the blood vessels and makes the heart work harder. People who have angina often see a marked reduction in chest pains within weeks of quitting.
- Curtail the coffee, colas and other beverages containing caffeine or other stimulants.
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