Chest pains are common. So common that people often ignore them when they experience them because they are used to them being harmless and part of everyday living. Although it is true that most chest pains are harmless, there are some pains that portend potential danger and need immediate medical care.
Since it is however difficult to differentiate between the harmless chest pains and the pains that are indicative of serious conditions, most people are left at crossroads wondering when they should report chest pains and when to see out the pain.
Well, here at Frontline emergency room, we understand how confusing it can be to differentiate between the serious chest pains and the harmless ones and have provided this guide to help you understand what to do if you are having chest pains. Here is what you should do if you are having chest pains;
What to do if you are having chest pains
If the pain is as a result of heavy lifting take painkillers
If you were lifting heavy weights within the course of the day and are feeling chest pains, don’t be alarmed- that’s natural. Don’t confuse that physical chest muscle with the other serious pain that is indicative of serious complications such as heart problems.
Ignore any pain that lasts a few seconds
Don’t be alarmed by any pain that goes away on its own after a few seconds. Such pain is normally harmless and does not indicate anything. The problem arises when the pain persists and lasts more than an hour, that’s when you should start getting alarmed.
If the pain worsens when you breathe in and out that is indicative of a problem in your thoracic region
If the pain you are experiencing gets worse every single time that you breathe in or it reduces when you hold your breath for some time, then you should straight away know that the pain is not as a result of a heart complication. Such pain points towards complications of the thoracic region and the respiratory system in particular.
If the pain is accompanied by shortness of breath that’s a red light
You should be alarmed if your chest pain is accompanied by shortness of breath. Shortness of breath accompanied by sweating, dizziness, fainting and the mild chest pain, is symptomatic of an impending heart attack and you should report the same to the nearest emergency room. If you are experiencing unexplained chest pain and are gasping for air, you should dial emergency services as soon as possible because those are all indicative of a potential heart attack.
If your family has a history of heart diseases
Most heart complications are hereditary and will be passed down the generations. If you hail from such a family and are experiencing unexplained chest pains, you have every reason to give your emergency room a call and tell them about your pain. It is better to stay safe than sorry.
If the pain radiated to the shoulders, arms and even to the jaw
If the pain that you are experiencing radiates to other parts of the upper body, then you need to be alarmed. Pain that remotely starts from around the chest area and slowly spreads to the shoulders and other parts of the upper body is indicative of a problem with the heart. These are symptoms of an impending heart attack and you should be warned. Such unexplained pain should be reported to the nearest emergency room with immediate effect.
Report any pain that persists for more than two days
If your pain is not caused by physical trauma and it persists for more than two days, you should be alarmed. Such pain my not necessarily point towards a heart attack but could be as a result of an equally complicated problem such as a problem in the aorta, an infection in the lungs or other digestive organs of the body.
Pain when you have one or more risk factors for heart diseases
If you are either genetically predisposed to heart diseases or suffer from diseases that make you more prone to heart attacks, you should report any unexplained chest pain to the nearest emergency room. People who smoke, people with diabetes and adults older than 60 years should particularly be on the lookout.
Talk to Frontline Emergency Room about Your Chest Pains
Are you in Dallas or Richmond Texas and are looking for the best emergency room to report your unexplained chest pains? Look no further than our way here at Frontline Emergency Room. Frontline Emergency Room is a no wait emergency care facility offering the best emergency services to the locals of Richmond, TX and Dallas, TX at very affordable rates.
Frontline Emergency Rooms accept most of the medical insurances on offer in Texas and you should therefore not be too worried about your insurance. We also offer a flexible payment plan and are always willing to listen to you. Give us a call here at Frontline emergency room today and we will gladly be of help pertaining your unexplained chest pains and any other complication you might be suffering from.
