noncardiac
Noncardiac Chest Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Noncardiac chest pain is a symptom of a disorder or condition in the chest, such as heartburn, angina, heart problems, and other illnesses. Though the symptoms are similar to those of a heart attack, noncardiac chest pain is not caused by a heart condition. noncardiac chest pain can be frightening, but it is usually not a sign of a serious medical condition.
Causes of Noncardiac Chest Pain
Noncardiac chest pain can often be tied to a specific cause. Common causes include:
- Anxiety or panic disorders
- Digestive problems, including gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or a peptic ulcer
- Muscle cramps and spasms
- Pulmonary embolism, or when a blood clot blocks one of the blood vessels in the lungs
- Psychological issues, such as depression or a traumatic event
- Shingles
- Stress
- Tugging on the chest wall due to obesity or weak muscles
Diagnosis of Noncardiac Chest Pain
Before a diagnosis of noncardiac chest pain can be made, your doctor may order tests to make sure your heart and lungs are functioning normally. Tests can include:
- Blood tests to check for infection, inflammation, or a clotting disorder
- Echocardiogram to evaluate the heart
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to look for evidence of a heart attack
- Exercise stress test to see if the heart is functioning normally during exercise
- Imaging scans, such as a chest X-ray or CT scan, to look for other causes
- Ultrasound to look for evidence of any blockages in the coronary arteries
Treatment of Noncardiac Chest Pain
Your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan that addresses the cause of your chest pain. Treatment options may include:
- Antidepressants to treat anxiety or depression
- Antibiotics to treat an infection
- Avoiding certain foods or alcohol if GERD is causing your chest pain
- Pain relievers to help reduce the pain
- Physical therapy and exercise to reduce stress on the chest wall
- Surgery to treat issues, such as shingles or a peptic ulcer
Noncardiac chest pain can be scary, but it is usually not a sign of a serious health condition. Treatment and lifestyle changes can help to reduce chest pain. If your chest pain persists for more than a few days, you should contact your doctor.