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The GP reveals which diseases can be hidden by discomfort on the left side of the chest and advises what to do in this case.
If you have chest pain, you need to ask yourself important questions.
Kristina Lebedevaitė, GP of the Endemik medical clinic of the Affidea group of companies, said in a press release that the age of people with heart disease is getting younger and that people of working age have been diagnosed with complications severe recently. The doctor mentions that there are several types of pain in the heart area: ischemic pain in the heart area, pericardialgia, pain caused by pathology of the large blood vessels (pulmonary artery, aorta).
According to her, if you feel any pain in the chest area, you need to ask yourself seven main questions:
- where it hurts;
- what is the nature of the pain (stabbing, pressing, bathing, dull, sharp) and intensity on a scale from 0 to 10;
- where the pain spreads;
- whose pain occurs and how often; how long does it last;
- where the pain is coming from (body position, medication, etc.);
- or pain, accompanied by other symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness.
“Heart pain is often depressing in nature, spreading to the left arm, shoulder or jaw, felt after more intense exercise, emotional stress, and occurs along with other signs of heart failure. Unpleasant sensations often disappear after stopping exercising, resting, or taking vasodilators, such as fast-acting nitroglycerin, ”says the doctor.
The doctor says that if the patient not only notices chest pain, but also high blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, basic tests are always performed: potassium, magnesium, thyroid hormones, glucose, cholesterol, kidney function, electrocardiogram.
“If abnormalities are found on these tests, they are corrected accordingly: the patient is referred for an ultrasound examination of the heart, which assesses the structure and function of the heart, and Holter monitoring for arrhythmias, a 24-hour electrocardiogram.” A bicycle ergometer test is also performed to record an EKG, blood pressure, and heart rate. If the lesions are found, a coronary angiography can be planned, a study of the passage of the coronary arteries of the heart ”, explains the doctor.
Pain in the heart area can also signify other serious illnesses.
Family doctor K. Lebedevaitė assures that chest pain can be caused by other serious disorders or diseases of the body, because there are more organs and structures in the chest, the pathology of which can cause unpleasant sensations.
She explains that pain of varying intensity can be caused by lung diseases such as pneumonia, bronchitis, pleurisy, pulmonary embolism. Spreading chest pain can also be affected by esophageal erosions, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gastric ulcer, gallstones, or inflammation of the gallbladder.
“Pain can also be caused by pathology of the thoracic spine, such as hernias, vertebral fractures, inflammation of the intercostal nerves. In addition, trauma, fractures of the ribs or the sternum. In old age, the most common disease is herpes zoster , which first manifests itself with pain along the course of the intercostal nerve and only after a while: herpes rash on the skin. Chest pain can also be caused by a breast pathology “, the doctor shares the possible variants of disorders that cause pain in the heart area.
She explains that when a patient complains of chest pain, doctors first investigate for possible heart damage and only when this pathology is ruled out are they investigated for other diseases. K. Lebedevaitė states that first the patient is physically examined, then blood pressure, heart rate, blood oxygen saturation, temperature are measured, and the electrocardiogram is recorded.
“If non-cardiogenic chest pain is suspected, a chest X-ray, spirometry for pulmonary pathology, and computed tomography of the thoracic spine for spinal cord injury can be performed. A fibrosophagogastroduodenoscopy and an ultrasound of the upper abdomen can be done to evaluate gastrointestinal lesions, ”says the doctor.
It also says that blood tests are done to clarify the diagnosis: a general blood test, C-reactive protein, liver enzymes, indicators of heart muscle damage. According to K. Lebedevaitė, after evaluating all the examinations, the diagnosis of the disease is confirmed or a more comprehensive examination is performed by additional examinations, according to the relevant findings in the initial examinations.
Rules of a healthy heart
K. Lebedevaitė says that there are modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors behind various cardiovascular diseases: some are inherited, others are those that can be adjusted by changing your lifestyle.
Unmodified risk factors include sex, age, heredity, and modifiers include obesity, smoking, comorbidities (high blood pressure, diabetes, dyslipidemia), lack of physical activity, and excessive alcohol consumption.
Associative photo.
“To maintain a minimum risk of heart disease, you should follow the principles of a balanced diet, consuming more vegetable than animal fats. In addition, you should consume at least 400 grams of fresh vegetables a day, you should drink at least 2 liters of water and fast carbohydrates should be avoided. Of course, it is very important to live an active and regular sport, at least 45 minutes 3 times a week “, says the doctor.
The doctor adds that if you feel any pain in your chest, or if you notice that the episodes of pain recur, it is necessary to consult a family doctor, who will help you determine the causes of the symptoms and possible health problems. If the patient feels severe and depressing pain that spreads to the arm, shoulder or jaw and does not go away even after stopping exercise or taking nitroglycerin, shortness of breath, it is important to go to the emergency department as soon as possible.
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