Causes of Chest Pain

The causes of chest pain vary. Many causes of chest pain are CAD or Coronary Artery Disease related. But there are many other causes of chest pain and not all causes of chest pain involve coronary artery disease. The diagnosis of chest pain to distinguish a CAD related chest pain and other causes of chest pain is not as simple as one might think. In fact, it is hard to distinguish the different causes of chest pain. Only the most experienced doctors can tell between different causes of chest pain.

The first causes of chest pain: Angina

Angina occurs as a result of exercise of other stressful activity. Angina tends to go away when you rest. Angina usually lasts about 2-3 minutes but no more than 10 minutes. Angina is usually worse in cold weather and when you exercise after a meal.

What is unstable Angina?

If the coronary atery narrows further or a blood clot forms on tis surface, the disease can enter a new phase called unstable angina. Unstable angina can lead to a heart attack so it is important to take preventive steps.

Heart attacks are common causes of chest pain

The chest pain caused by a heart attack is the same as the chest pain caused by angina. The only difference between the two types of chest pain is with angina, the chest pain eases off when you rest whereas the chest pain caused by a heart attack gets worse. During a heart attack, the heart attack victim looks gray and sweaty and feel cold to touch. They often feel nauseous and may vomit.

Differences between angina and a heart attack

The difference between angina and a heart attack is that angina leaves the heart muscle short of oxygen but undamaged. A heart attack kills part of the heart muscle because of lack of oxygen. In about 20% of the cases, the symptoms of a heart attack may be mild and are often mistaken for indigenstion. 

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