Chest Pain

Overview

Regardless of why it occurs, chest pain can be frightening, so it can put your mind at ease to get checked by a doctor. Chest pain can be scary and concerning, and it’s natural to want to know what’s causing it. But no matter what, it’s important to take chest pain seriously and seek medical attention right away. At iCare ER & Urgent Care locations in Frisco or Fort Worth, TX, we have board-certified practitioners who are equipped to handle all types of chest pain and provide you with the appropriate medical assistance.

Types and Symptoms of Chest Pain

Chest pain can be caused by a variety of factors. Some common causes include:

  • Reflux disease or heartburn, ulcers, spasms, and gastritis
  • Gallstones and biliary colic
  • Pericarditis (inflammation of the membrane that covers the heart)
  • Pleuritis (inflammation of the membrane that covers the lungs)
  • Musculoskeletal chest wall pain
  • Nerve pain

While these conditions are not usually life-threatening, it’s still important to seek medical attention if you experience chest pain.

Causes of Chest Pain

In some cases, chest pain can be a symptom of a more serious condition, such as:

  • Heart attack
  • Aortic dissection (tear in the wall of the aorta)
  • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
  • Pulmonary embolism (blockage in the artery of the lungs by a blood clot)
  • Pneumonia
  • Esophageal tear

 

When to Seek Medical Care for Chest Pain

If you experience chest pain, it’s important to seek medical attention right away. You should seek help if you experience any of the following symptoms:

    • Crushing or squeezing pain
    • Sweating or clamminess
    • Nausea or vomiting
    • Shortness of breath
    • Pain in the upper extremities

 

If you have a history of heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, or a predisposition for heart disease, you may also be at a higher risk of experiencing chest pain related to your heart. If you are a smoker or a substance abuser, you may also have an increased possibility that your chest pain is related to your heart. Chest pain should be evaluated by an emergency room physician as quickly as possible.

What to Expect at iCare

When you arrive at iCare ER & Urgent Care in Frisco or Fort Worth, TX, with chest pain, our staff will work to quickly determine whether your pain is a symptom of a heart attack or another condition. Your visit will start with a discussion about your medical history, a physical exam, and we may recommend additional testing such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), chest X-ray, or blood tests to check for heart damage or other conditions that may be causing your chest pain. We may also recommend medication to help manage your pain or treat the underlying condition.

In the event that a patient requires hospitalization or other procedures that we do not offer at iCare, we are able to transfer them to a hospital for admission. Our goal is to provide you with the best possible care and to ensure that your chest pain is evaluated and treated in a timely and effective manner.

At iCare, we understand that chest pain can be scary and stressful. That’s why we have board-certified ER Physicians and Registered Nurses, onsite 24/7 to help diagnose, treat, and monitor your pain. Our goal is to ensure that you receive the appropriate care and treatment for your chest pain so that it can be resolved quickly and safely.

 

 

 

Top