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