Question - Are there other causes for chest pain?
If you continue to have chest pain and your doctor states it is not from cardiac causes, it can be concerning.
Answer:
There are many causes of chest pain. The one that doctors worry about the most is cardiac because it has the potential to be life-threatening. Non-invasive tests to diagnose coronary artery disease are not all sensitive to picking up blood flow to the heart in all people; especially in those with increased body mass index or special populations. Therefore, if you have symptoms of coronary disease but have been told they are not cardiac in nature, you may want to get a second opinion at a Center with experience in diagnostic testing. Once coronary disease is truly ruled out the work-up can proceed at a more leisurely pace.
Please note: If you have chest pain that lasts longer than 5 minutes and is not relieved by rest or medication, please seek emergency assistance (call 911). See Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease.
Cardiac causes of chest pain are: ischemia (due to blockages - including both stable and unstable angina and acute heart attack and coronary artery spasm), pericarditis (inflammation of the sack around the heart), myocarditis (inflammation of the heart), cardiomyopathy (heart failure) and rarer causes such as coronary artery dissection, acute rupture of the heart and valves and infections of the pericardium.
Gastrointestinal causes of chest pain include: reflux (acid from the stomach washing back into the esophagus), gallstones, esophageal spasm, esophageal rupture, varicose veins of the esophagus, strictures of the esophagus, tumors of the esophagus and other less common GI problems.
Pulmonary (lung) causes include: pneumonia, pulmonary embolus, pneumothorax, pleuritis and bleb rupture.
Other potential causes are: aortic dissection, back and spine problems and musculoskeletal (muscle strain, rib fracture, etc.).
Psychological causes of chest pain are: common and include panic attacks, anxiety, stress and mental duress.
As you can see the list of potential causes in long and may take a little bit of time to determine the precise cause. A good internal medicine doctor or cardiologist can work through the potential causes of your symptoms.
For more information:
- Reviewed by Benico Barzilai, MD, Section Head of Clinical Cardiology at the Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute
If you need more information or would like to make an appointment with a specialist, contact us, chat online with a nurse or call the Miller Family Heart and Vascular Institute Resource & Information Nurse at 216.445.9288 or toll-free at 866.289.6911. We would be happy to help you.
This information is provided by Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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