Chest pain is a concerning symptom because it is often the herald of more serious problems. Chest pain frequently occurs when there is a potential issue with some of the internal organs, specifically the heart and lungs. However, many symptoms are unrelated to the heart itself and are instead caused by other problems that are affecting the muscles and blood flow.If you are experiencing chest pain, it’s essential to seek an ER near you to receive immediate assistance. For an emergency room in the zip code 76548, you can contact the Harker Heights Emergency Room. Additionally, known as an emergency care center, this Harker Heights 24-hour emergency room is designed to ensure patients receive speedy treatment to stop the potential development of serious problems.
However, not all chest pain is related to a major concern. If the pain stops after a couple of seconds or can be alleviated with antacids, then it is most likely not an emergency. At the same time, if the pain increases while breathing or moving, or if it creates a tight sensation, then you need to seek treatment from a doctor or emergency room nurse immediately.
Determining the severity and cause of chest pain is difficult, especially because you often see individuals having heart attacks all of a sudden in media. The truth is symptoms for such drastic problems usually start hours before the situation.
The best thing to do when you have chest pain is to try to alleviate the symptoms. Get up, stretch, take an antacid, and reduce strenuous physical activity – for example, stop running if you were running when the pain started.
There are three basic rules about whether or not you need to visit a doctor as soon as possible. These are when the chest pain is:
- Not relieved by the stop of physical activity or medication and continues to exist even when not moving or being active
- Persistent and occurs with nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and other symptoms common of coronary artery disease
- Consistent and gets worse over the next few minutes or hour without showing standard heart attack symptoms
If you or someone near you is experiencing the symptoms of a heart attack, you need to call 911 and get an ambulance on the way. Heart attacks require prompt, urgent treatment, otherwise, blood flow can stop, brain cells can die, and death can occur. It is also a good idea to chew an aspirin if you are not allergic. The symptoms of a heart attack are:
- Pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest, neck, and arms that seem to move to other parts of the body
- Nausea, indigestion, some vomiting, or heartburn
- Fatigue
- Cold sweat
- Lightheadedness or sudden bouts of dizziness
- Shortness of breath
It’s important to remember that the symptoms of a heart attack vary and can be different between men and women. Women often experience jaw and back pain, as well as heightened anxiety or flu-like symptoms. This means many women often have undiagnosed heart attacks, which lead to further problems down the road. If you’re unsure about your symptoms, stop in at the Harker Heights Emergency Care Center for an exam and treatment.
Besides a heart attack, the most concerning cause of chest pain is angina. Angina refers to when there is not enough blood flowing to the heart. The result is extreme chest pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, arms, and other parts of the body. Angina is frequently a result of coronary artery disease and should be treated as soon as possible.
However, the majority of chest pain, especially in individuals under 30 years old, is not a cause for alarm. If the pain is combined with other common symptoms like shortness of breath and lightheadedness, it could be an asthma attack, and the proper medication needs to be taken.
Chest pain is confusing and alarming for many because it is hard to tell when it is serious. After all, the body can only exhibit so many symptoms. If you experience chest pain that lasts longer than five minutes and is accompanied by other symptoms, call 911 or go to an emergency room immediately. Some are open 24/7, as the Express ER in Harker Heights.
Don’t be afraid to seek the help you need when you have chest pain.
