Chest Pain

What is chest pain?

Chest pain is discomfort or pressure in any part of your chest, which can be a symptom of a heart complication. It can also originate in the muscles, bones, esophagus, lungs, or any other structures in the region. You may also feel pain in your shoulder. 

If you experience chest pain, it may last for just a few seconds or much longer. In fact, chronic chest pain is any discomfort in the chest area that lasts for six months or longer. Chest pain can also vary in severity and can be dull, achy, or sharp. When visiting Heart and Vascular Clinic you should be specific as possible while describing your symptoms. 

Dr. Balachandran specializes in diagnosing and managing chest pain specifically from heart and vascular problems. Chest pain from these issues often appears on the left side of the chest, where your heart is located. 

What causes chest pain?

Dr. Balachandran can diagnose and treat several common causes of chest pain. Angina, a common type of chest pain, appears when your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen from your blood. It feels similar to indigestion and is indicative of an underlying heart problem. 

You might experience angina or other chest pain because of:

• Coronary artery disease
• Pericarditis
• Heart attack
• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Heart murmur
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Panic attacks or anxiety attacks
• Musculoskeletal injuries in the area

A heart attack might be your first thought if you experience chest pain suddenly, but it’s far from the only possible cause. Dr. Balachandran helps you explore all possible causes with an exam and diagnostic tests at Heart and Vascular Clinic. 

How is the cause of my chest pain diagnosed?

Dr. Balachandran uses several tests to identify possible heart problems leading to chest pain. He can also use these tests to rule out heart problems as a cause of chest pain. Depending on your other symptoms and medical history, he might use:

Stress test

A stress test evaluates your heart’s performance under pressure. It involves walking on a treadmill or taking medication to elevate your heart rate. Dr. Balachandran monitors your heart rhythm, blood pressure, and breathing as you do so. 

Cardiac catheterization

Cardiac catheterization is a test that involves a catheter inserted into an artery in the groin. Dr. Balachandran threads the catheter through the artery to reach the heart. He moves the catheter to different heart chambers to measure pressure inside them and take blood samples to test their oxygen levels. 

Coronary angiogram

Coronary angiogram is a diagnostic X-ray procedure to view your heart’s blood vessels. Using this test, Dr. Balachandran can detect restricted blood flow. 

Echocardiogram

An echocardiogram is an imaging test for the heart that uses soundwaves to produce images of the heart that Dr. Balachandran can evaluate for abnormalities with the valves and chambers. 

Schedule an appointment for chest pain by calling Heart and Vascular Clinic or booking online today.