There are a variety of symptoms that you may experience when dealing with chest pain. Some of the more common symptoms include pressure, burning, or tightness in the chest. Pain, that increases with activity, or leaves and then comes back again. Pain that radiates into your jaw, arm, back, and/or neck. Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting are also symptoms that can be connected to chest pain. Often times these types of chest pains are related to the heart. Burning in the chest, difficulty swallowing, and abdominal pain that radiates to the chest, could be directly related to digestion problems. You may experience muscle related chest pain or pain from an injury to your rib cage.

When you think of chest pain the first thought that may come to mind is a heart problem. It is true that chest pain can be caused by problems related to the heart. However, chest pains can be the result of a variety of factors. Those that are related to the heart can include, a heart attack (blocked blood flow to the heart), angina (poor blood flow to the heart), or pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart).

Complications with your digestive system can be another cause of chest pain. It could be that your chest pain is related to heartburn (painful burning behind the breastbone). Your gallbladder or pancreas can be causing gallstones or inflammation to develop. If you have been in an accident a bruised or broken rib can be the cause of your chest pain. Also, not to be overlooked are panic attacks that often create symptoms that mimic a heart attack. In some cases Shingles has also been a source of chest pain.

Our professional and highly trained medical staff and physicians will want to identify the cause of your chest pain as quickly as possible. Especially in the event that your pain came on suddenly and the symptoms are connected with those of a heart attack. However, if it is determined that your pains are not associated with a heart attack, then you and your doctor will openly communicate about your symptoms and how long you have been experiencing them. Based on your examination your doctor may recommend tests for diagnosis and treatment. It may be that an Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG), chest X-ray, blood tests, or a Computerized tomography (CT scan) is ordered. Depending upon the cause of your chest pain your doctor may prescribe aspirin, blood thinner, artery relaxers, or antacids. In more serious situations surgery or other medical procedures may be required. Your doctor will discuss with you all test results and necessary treatment options to relieve your chest pain.

At Columbia Clinic Urgent Care we understand how distressing it can be if you or a loved one experiences chest pain. It can be a very serious situation. Do not wait to make an appointment! Stop in today at one of our 3 convenient walk-in locations in the Portland metro area. You can also call and speak with our medical staff at any one of our 5 Columbia Clinic Urgent Care & Walk-in Clinic locations. Let us put your mind at “rest” by finding out what is happening in your “chest”.