Are Chest Pains Always Heart-Related?

There are many parts of your body where you might overlook a passing pain. If you feel a twinge in your lower back or a dull ache in your head, you usually assume it will pass. 

However, if you experience discomfort in your chest, it’s usually more concerning. You want to learn what’s behind that pain to make sure it’s not something serious. It might not be a heart-related problem, but it’s best to check. 

Because he’s a specialist in chest pain, David Bolon, MD, can help you figure out what’s going on. At Manhattan Integrative Cardiovascular in Midtown East Manhattan, New York City, Dr. Bolon and our team have a range of diagnostic tools we can use to get to the root of the issue. From echocardiograms to stress tests, we tap our resources. With these tools and Dr. Bolon’s expertise, we should be able to determine the cause of your chest pain. 

What causes chest pain

Chest pain can absolutely signal that something’s wrong with your heart. Your heart might not be getting enough blood, causing the discomfort (angina). It can also be a sign that you’re having a heart attack. 

But there are plenty of causes of chest pain that aren’t heart-related. You might be experiencing this symptom because of a problem with your:

• Digestive system (including heartburn)
• Gallbladder
• Lungs
• Pancreas
• Ribs

Chest pain can also come from mental health problems. It’s a common symptom for people experiencing a panic attack. 

Long story short, not all chest pain is heart-related. However, this symptom usually indicates that something is wrong in your body and requires attention. 

When chest pain is an emergency

Sudden chest pain could be a sign of a heart attack. Seek emergency medical care if you’re experiencing this symptom along with:

• A feeling of pressure in your chest
• Pain spreading to your arm, neck, or other nearby body area
• Lightheadedness
• Nausea
• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trouble breathing

Otherwise, schedule an appointment with Dr. Bolon. He can assess your symptoms and help you figure out what’s causing your chest pain.

Identifying the cause of your chest pain

Here at our office, Dr. Bolon can perform a cardiac screening to determine whether a heart issue is triggering your chest pain. 

That means discussing your personal and family health history with you, conducting lab work such as glucose and cholesterol testing, and completing any other evaluations deemed necessary for you. That might include diagnostic procedures like a stress test or echocardiogram. 

As he gathers information, Dr. Bolon should be able to either diagnose the cardiac issue causing your chest pain or rule out a heart problem. If it seems like your chest pain is coming from something else, he can help you connect to the right doctor(s) for the care you need.

Not all chest pain is heart-related. However, almost all cases of chest pain are worth seeing a doctor. If you’ve been experiencing this symptom, call our office at (716) 303-4738 or book your appointment online today.