Chest Pain
Chest pain is pain or discomfort felt anywhere along the front of the body between the neck and upper abdomen. Specific characteristics of the pain such as location, duration, intensity and quality are vital to accurately
diagnose conditions or
disease.
The location of the pain may be above or below the sternum; it may be on the left or right side of the chest. It may radiate into the arms, neck or back. The pain may be one-sided or localized, or it may diffuse and be felt throughout the entire chest.
Call us at (888) 360-4215 to speak with a mesothelioma paralegal
The duration of chest pain may be periodic or continuous. The patient may experience unpredictable episodes of pain that follow no pattern, or he may have pain present every day.
Chest pain may be severe or the "worst pain I've ever felt" or it may be a general ache, soreness or heaviness throughout the chest.
The quality of chest pain is determined by the patient's description. Pain may be stabbing, sharp or a dull ache. It may get worse with exertion or eating. It may get better once the patient lies down. It may be brought on by coughing or hurt with every breath.
Other symptoms can accompany chest pain such as nausea, breathlessness, palpitations, excessive sweating, a tingling or numb sensation, a feeling of constriction or tightening in the chest or hyperventilating.
Upon presentation with chest pain, the patient may undergo blood work, an electrocardiogram, chest x-rays, an echocardiogram, nuclear imaging, stress/exercise testing, CT scan, MRI or cardiac catheterization.
Chest pain is a frightening and stressful experience. Anxiety over the diagnosis, fear of future pain and uncertainty of whether the pain can be controlled all take a toll on the patient. In addition, patients often limit their activities and life style for fear of bringing on chest pain.