Chest Pain; Causes and Treatments

The medical name for chest pain, as it relates to the cardiovascular system, is angina. At Humble Cardiology Associates, board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Madaiah Revana, takes angina seriously as it may indicate a heart condition. Learn more about angina here.

What is angina?

It is a symptom rather than a disease. Typically, angina expresses as intense, crushing pain in the center of the breast bone and may radiate to the arm and jaw. Angina indicates the heart muscle, or myocardium, is not fully oxygenated. This lack of life-giving oxygen is called ischemia.

What causes chest pain?

Many cardiovascular conditions can, including:

• Coronary arteries blocked by plaque
• Microvascular disease (particularly in women)
• Heart muscle stiffened due to age and long-term hypertension
• Heart valves stiffened due to overuse and age (valvular stenosis)
• Pulmonary embolism, a dangerous blood clot in the lungs

Lifestyle factors contribute to angina, says the American Heart Association. Common ones are high blood cholesterol, being sedentary, age, diabetes, obesity, smoking and a family history of cardiovascular disease.

What to do about chest pain

Symptoms of angina should be reported to your primary care physician or your cardiologist at Humble Cardiology Associates. Tell the doctor what seems to precipitate your symptoms, where they are located, how long they last and what may bring relief.

Cardiologists categorize angina as stable or progressive. Stable angina happens with stressful situations or exercise. It resolves with rest. Unstable, or progressive, angina may happen frequently at any time and does not resolve quickly or easily.

Whatever the type of chest pain, Dr. Revana will run a series of diagnostic tests which may include:

• Physical examination and review of medical history
• Blood work
• Electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Angiogram
• Cardiac stress test

Treating angina

Usually, treatment involves a combination of medications (low-dose aspirin, beta-blockers, nitroglycerin and statins as examples), invasive or non-invasive cardiac procedures and lifestyle modifications. Lifestyle modifications may include:

• An exercise or cardiac rehab program
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Controlling blood sugars and blood pressure
• Smoking cessation
• Controlling stress
• Eating a heart-healthy diet
• Spacing meals and eating smaller portions

Find out more

Chest pain is no joke. Learn the source and how to manage it for a better, longer life. Be sure to contact Dr. Madaiah Revana and his team at Humble Cardiology Associates if you have concerning symptoms or any questions about your angina treatment plan.

Do you need treatment for your chest pain? Call  Dr. Madaiah Revana
at Humble Cardiology Associates, serving Humble, TX, Kingwood, TX, and Atascocita, TX,
at 281-446-4638 to book an appointment!