$Unique_ID{BRK01534}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What are Some of the Other Causes of Chest Pain?}
$Subject{chest pain Ill Defined Symptoms symptom heart attack attacks
gastrointestinal system pulmonary cardiovascular stomach gallbladder spleen
pancreas intestines musculoskeletal pains intestine torso myocardial
infarction infarctions}
$Volume{N-3}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1991-92,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What are Some of the Other Causes of Chest Pain?


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QUESTION:  I know that a severe chest pain is not something to take lightly,
but surely not every pain in the chest is due to a heart attack.  What are
some of the other possible causes of pain in the chest, and how can you
determine the exact cause of the pain?

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ANSWER:  Although heart attack is the unquestionably the most serious cause of
chest pain, there are other possible causes.  The chest contains sections of
the gastrointestinal system, the pulmonary system, the cardiovascular system,
and quite a few bones, muscles, and ligaments, all of which can be a source of
pain.
     After the cardiovascular system has been checked out, your physician will
probably examine your gastrointestinal system next.  Conditions in the
stomach, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas and intestines, although these organs
aren't located in the chest, can cause pain that feels as if it were from the
chest.
     If the gastrointestinal system checks out O.K., the next possibility is
that your pain is musculoskeletal.  Your physician may palpate or press on
various muscles in your chest wall or ask you to stretch into various
positions to see if this reproduces the original pain that caused concern.
     If all of these tests fail to show a source of pain, you may undergo yet
another set of cardiovascular tests, more sensitive, that search for hidden
clues.  It is possible that you and your physician will never learn what is
causing your chest pain.  But both you and your physician will still be able
to construct a plan that can be most helpful in managing the pain.  This may
include simply taking a pain reliever or warm baths, or using hot water
bottles held to the painful area.  A moderate exercise program of walking and
stretching may also help you to alleviate these annoying, but probably not
dangerous, pains in the chest area.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.