| Is ongoing chest pain a sign of heart failure? | | | | Periconditis: Chest pains may also be caused by |
| Chest pains of any type can be frightening. You | | | | another type of inflammation - inflammation of |
| may think you are having a heart attack. The | | | | the heart lining. * Musculoskeletal: Ongoing chest |
| thought that it might be heart attack can increase | | | | pain may be a matter of muscle strain. Perhaps |
| chest pains. You should see a doctor immediately | | | | you twisted or lifted in such a way as to pull a |
| to be sure. Supposing, though, that you have | | | | chest muscle. This type of ongoing chest pain |
| seen a doctor about your ongoing chest pain. You | | | | hurts when you touch the chest. * Gall Bladder: A |
| were not having a heart attack. Your doctor sent | | | | gall bladder attack can cause excruciating chest |
| you home, but the chest pains continue to come | | | | pain. This can stop and start many times. It is |
| and go. Is ongoing chest pain a sign of heart | | | | related to eating, however, and not to the heart. |
| failure that the doctor might miss? Possible | | | | * Acid reflux: A common cause of ongoing chest |
| Reasons for Ongoing Chest Pains Chest pains are | | | | pain is acid reflux, GERD, or heartburn. This feels |
| often, but not always heart related. The nerves | | | | like the heart is in pain. It can come and go |
| flowing from the spinal column can echo pain, | | | | frequently. Ask your doctor if your ongoing chest |
| making us think one part of the body hurts when | | | | pain may be related to your digestive system. |
| the problem is actually in another part. Once we | | | | Make the Connection Is your ongoing chest pain a |
| are convinced that chest pains relate to the heart, | | | | sign of heart failure? It might be - if you have |
| it can be difficult to find the true source of the | | | | other symptoms of heart failure. Do you have |
| problem. Physicians are frequently faced with this | | | | trouble breathing? Do you become uncomfortable |
| dilemma. The chest pain is not "all in your head". It | | | | when lying flat because you feel short of breath? |
| is real pain. It may not relate to the heart, | | | | Are your legs and arms swollen with excess fluid? |
| however, no matter how much your head tells | | | | Have you gained weight from water retention? |
| you it does. We do not have space here to list | | | | Do you feel like you have indigestion, and you |
| every cause of chest pain, but we can give | | | | would rather not eat because of it? With your |
| examples. Assuming you have already undergone | | | | ongoing chest pain, do you feel tired, weak, and |
| physical examination for your chest pains, consider | | | | not able to do the physical things you usually do? |
| the following. You will want to discuss your chest | | | | Are you restless and confused? Does it seem |
| pain with a qualified, licensed physician. * Anxiety: | | | | that your attention span has grown shorter and |
| Chest pains often are caused by anxiety. Your | | | | your memory is failing? These are some, but not |
| body responds to stressors by preparing for fight | | | | all, of the symptoms that accompany chest pain |
| or flight. However, you do neither. Instead, you | | | | if you are experiencing heart failure. Helpful Tip |
| continue the anxious state of preparation. Your | | | | Your doctor will probably be able to make a |
| body continues to pour forth chemicals to help | | | | tentative diagnosis of heart failure if you have |
| you fight or flee. This process can trigger ongoing | | | | swelling and are short of breath. He or she will |
| chest pain. If this is true in your case, the ongoing | | | | listen to your chest, tap the chest, and even take |
| chest pain is not a sign of heart failure. It is your | | | | a chest X-ray. If your doctor suspects heart |
| body's warning that you need to reduce anxiety. | | | | failure, other tests will be ordered. Many therapies |
| * Angina pectoris: Chest pains may indicate | | | | can help ease your heart's workload. If your chest |
| blocked arteries. Do you get the chest pains when | | | | pains are caused by heart failure, your physician |
| you engage in physical activities, try to handle | | | | can help. CAUTION: The information presented |
| emotional stress, or endure extreme | | | | here is for general educational purposes only. It is |
| temperatures? Do the chest pains feel like | | | | not a substitute for medical advice. You should |
| pressure under the breastbone? If so, ask your | | | | not rely on this information to make health |
| doctor to check for angina. * Costochondritis: This | | | | decisions. Consult your family doctor about your |
| cause of chest pains is really an inflammation of | | | | personal condition. |
| the joints in your chest. Inflammation where ribs | | | | © 2007, Anna Hart. Anna is married to a |
| and breastbone connect may cause chest pain | | | | man who suffers from heart disease, and brings |
| along the edges of your breastbone. Your pain | | | | to her writing years of experience and research. |
| may get worse when you cough or take a deep | | | | She invites you to read more of her articles |
| breath. An anti-inflammatory medicine or heat | | | | about chest pain and heart disease at You won't |
| may relieve the pain. This problem usually goes | | | | want to miss Anna's additional insights and |
| away on its own. Ask your doctor about it. * | | | | perspectives on stress chest pains in women. |