ÒThe
Puzzle Of Chest PainÓ
ItÕs a
pain that started in the middle of your chest, just an ache at first, but
getting sharper and radiating down your arm. Is it your heart? Or is it
something else? There is no exact set of symptoms, age range, sex, body size or
shape for determining if chest pain is related or unrelated to your heart. Let
the doctor decide. Coronary artery
disease leading to a myocardial infarction (MI) or heart attack is a class four
emergency and is still a leading cause of fatality in men and women in the US. DonÕt
take chances, no matter how foolish you may feel when you leave the ER with
orders to rest and take Mylanta.
What
other symptoms can be caused by heart related chest pain? The patient may suffer from any
or all of the following symptoms: sweating, shortness of breath, gray pale
color, pain radiating to the arm,
wrist, neck or jaw, pain gets worse with exertion, nausea or vomiting, extreme
weakness, dizziness, rapid or irregular pulse, or feelings of panic and
anxiety.
What
are the risk factors involved that may lead to heart attack? Smoking , obesity, diabetes,
high blood pressure, high cholesterol, genetic predisposition to coronary
artery disease, an inactive life style or high stress levels.
Can
I treat my chest pain myself? NO, absolutely not. Herbals, supplements and vitamins along with an improved low
fat low calorie diet can add life to your years following a coronary insult.
But letÕs not get the cart in front of the horse.
What
about repeated bouts of chest pain? In the past the doctor has ruled out a
heart attack, is it okay to wait and see what develops? Again, No absolutely not.
According to a study done at the Cleveland Clinic the treatment you do or do
not receive in the first hour following a serious coronary insult plays a
significant role in your ability to recover fully.
The
strain of this summerÕs heat will bring a fresh crop of patients to the ER
suffering chest pain-always busy place, but I can guarantee you having worked
in one a number of years theyÕre never too busy to find room for an individual
suffering with chest pain. It was always a sad thing to see someone so
unsuspecting fall victim to a heart attack and maybe die from lack of
treatment, even worse for the families they leave behind. If you see yourself
between the lines here donÕt wait, go for help. ThereÕs a lot of life left to
live, even after coronary artery disease.
Till next time, Rebecca.