Chest Pain Singapore: How do you know if it is Serious?

Chest pains often manifest as discomfort, squeezing, or pressure which may radiate to the arms, neck, or jaw. They may be brief or last long and come with other symptoms depending on the potential cause.

For example, chest pain that lasts only seconds or minutes and resolves without other cardiac-related symptoms like nausea or shortness of breath may not even be linked to your heart. It isn’t a wise decision though to ignore the symptoms as chest pain can lead to severe consequences like heart damage or failure.

On this page, we will discuss the common causes of chest pains. We will also touch on the key indicators that your heart pain could be something serious. Keep reading!

What are the 5 Common Causes of Chest Pain?

There are several issues that may lead to the development of chest pain. Irrespective of the cause though, chest pain needs medical assessment. Here are some of the most common causes of chest pain in Singapore;

Digestive Causes:

• Heartburn: This is essentially a burning sensation that may be felt behind the breastbone. It occurs as a result of stomach acid reflux into the esophagus. Persistent heartburn may lead to chronic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which may intensify chest pains.
• Swallowing Disorders: Esophageal complications which cause difficulties in swallowing may also lead to discomfort and pain in the chest area. The swallowing disorders that are known to potentially contribute to chest pains include achalasia and esophageal spasms.
• Gallbladder or Pancreas Issues: Gallstones or inflammation that affects the gallbladder or pancreas can lead to stomach pain that spread to the chest. Pancreatitis, for instance, can cause severe pain which radiates to the chest.

Lung-related Causes:

• Pulmonary Embolism: Pulmonary embolism is a life-threatening condition where a blood clot obstructs the lung artery. This obstruction may cause blockage of blood flow and cause chest pain. Risk factors include deep vein thrombosis and prolonged immobility.
• Pleurisy: This is an inflammation of the lung’s membrane. It may lead to chest pain which intensifies during breathing or coughing. Conditions that may trigger pleurisy include pneumonia and some viral infections.
• Collapsed Lung: Also known as pneumothorax, a collapsed lung is when air collects in your chest cavity thereby creating pressure against the lung to the point of making it collapse either partially or fully. Potential contributors of collapsed lungs range from trauma to underlying lung diseases, and spontaneous pneumothorax.
• Pulmonary Hypertension: This is an elevation of blood pressure in the lung arteries. This condition puts strain on the heart, thus the pain. It can result from various factors, including underlying heart or lung diseases.

Heart-related Causes:

• Angina: This is chest pain due to reduced blood flow to the heart, often triggered by the accumulation of plaques in the coronary arteries. Angina occurs in two types; stable and unstable angina. Stable angina occurs during physical activity, while unstable angina can happen at rest.
• Heart Attack: Blockage of blood flow to the heart muscle which is mostly due to a blood clot. Symptoms tend to vary but mostly include intense chest pain, shortness of breath, and nausea. Prompt medical attention is crucial for minimizing heart damage.
• Aortic Dissection: This is a life-threatening condition which involves the tearing of the aorta’s inner layers. Improperly managed, it may lead to aortic rupture. This requires emergency intervention to prevent catastrophic consequences.
• Pericarditis: Pericarditis is an inflammation of the sac around the heart which causes sharp chest pain. It can be aggravated by breathing or lying down. Other possible contributors to pericarditis include viral infections and autoimmune conditions.

Muscle and Bone Causes:

• Costochondritis: Inflammation of rib cage cartilage, particularly at the junction with the breastbone. This condition can cause localized chest pain and tenderness.
• Sore Muscles: Chronic pain syndromes like fibromyalgia affecting chest muscles, leading to persistent discomfort.
• Injured Ribs: Chest pain resulting from bruised or broken ribs. Trauma, accidents, or excessive coughing can contribute to rib injuries and cause localized pain.

Other Causes:

• Panic Attack: This is characterized by intense fear episodes with chest pain, rapid heartbeat, sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, and dizziness. It is however important to seek medical care to be able to accurately differentiate panic attacks from cardiac events.
• Shingles: This is a viral infection that causes intense pain and blisters. Typically, it follows a band-like pattern from the back to the chest. Timely antiviral treatment helps alleviate symptoms and prevent complications.

How do I know if my Chest Pain is Serious?

It isn’t easy to tell for sure if your chest pain is serious. However, there are symptoms which may be indicative that it is time to see your cardiologist.

To know if your chest pain is serious, check;

• The intensity and persistence of the pain
• The radiation of the pain
• Associated symptoms
• Pre-existing conditions and
• The response to Nitroglycerin

1. Intensity and Persistence: Serious chest pain is often intense. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, or a heavy weight on the chest. If the pain lasts for more than a few minutes, it could be a sign of a critical issue. Discomfort that comes and goes should not be dismissed, especially if it recurs frequently.
2. Radiation of Pain: Pain extending beyond the chest is concerning. Radiation of discomfort to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back may suggest a heart-related problem. Such patterns indicate potential heart issues that require urgent medical evaluation.
3. Associated Symptoms: Serious chest pain is often accompanied by additional symptoms. Shortness of breath, nausea, and profuse sweating may indicate a heart attack. These signs collectively point to a cardiovascular emergency and demand immediate medical attention.
4. Pre-existing Conditions: Individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, should be vigilant. A sudden onset of severe chest pain in such cases is more likely to be serious and necessitates urgent medical intervention.
5. Response to Nitroglycerin: Nitroglycerin is a common medication used to alleviate chest pain related to angina. If someone with known heart issues experiences persistent, severe chest pain unresponsive to nitroglycerin, it may signify a more severe condition like an impending heart attack, requiring immediate emergency care.

Closing Thoughts

Any potential indicators of serious chest pain in Singapore shouldn’t be ignored as this can lead to delayed treatment. And as you probably, already understand, delayed treatment only means worsening of the outcome of cardiovascular events.

With that in mind, always prioritize seeking medical help if you experience severe or persistent chest pain. This is particularly important if the chest pain is accompanied by other concerning symptoms. To learn more about chest pain in Singapore or how we can assist, call or visit us at;

Cadence Heart Centre (Dr Devinder Singh) | Heart Screening, Heart Check Up

3 Mount Elizabeth #14-13

Mt Elizabeth Medical Centre, Singapore 228510

(65) 8318 9884

(65) 6369 8789

enquiry@cadenceheart.sg

https://cadenceheart.sg/