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Chest Pain That Is Not Caused by the Heart Discharge Instructions


About this topic


Chest pain is not always caused by heart disease. There are many other things that can cause it. Muscle strain, lung problems, acid reflux, swallowing tube irritation, and anxiety can all cause chest pain. Treatment will depend on the cause. Rest and pain drugs may be used to treat muscle strain. Changing your eating habits and using drugs that lower stomach acid may be used to treat stomach problems. Knowing the pain is not coming from your heart may help with anxiety. Sometimes, calming drugs are needed. ‚  
You may have had one or more of the following signs: ‚  
  • Burning feeling in your throat, upper belly, or behind the chest bone
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Problems breathing like breathing fast, wheezing, coughing, feeling short of breath
  • Feeling faint or sweating
  • Anxiety
  • Pain in your shoulder, upper back, chest wall, or muscles. This may be due to lifting a heavy object.
  • Upset stomach, belly pain, or throwing up

What care is needed at home?


  • Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
  • If your doctor tells you to use heat, put a heating pad on the painful part for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Never go to sleep with a heating pad on as this can cause burns.
  • If the chest pain is caused by coughing, using a cool mist humidifier may help your breathing.

What follow-up care is needed?


  • Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. You may need to have more tests.
  • Monitor the pain. Pay attention to:
    • If there is more chest pain or the chest pain worsens
    • How often you have chest pain and when it happens
    • What type of pain it is. Is it throbbing, stabbing, heavy, cramping, or related to moving or breathing?
    • If eating is related to the pain

What drugs may be needed?


The doctor may order drugs to: ‚  
  • Help with pain
  • Treat stomach problems
  • Help with breathing
  • Help you relax
  • Control coughing

Will physical activity be limited?


  • If pain is caused by muscle strain, limit activities that can trigger your chest pain.
  • As you feel better, you can slowly add to your normal activities. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.

What changes to diet are needed?


If the pain is from your stomach or esophagus, your doctor may suggest you: ‚  
  • Avoid foods that make signs worse.
  • Avoid lying down after eating.
  • Eat smaller meals.
  • Decrease the amount of beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol) you drink.
  • Consider a plan to cut down and quit smoking.
  • Lose weight if you are overweight.

What can be done to prevent this health problem?


  • Take care with exercise and heavy activities. This is very important if the activities are much harder than what you are used to.
  • Avoid lifting heavy objects. This can pull your chest muscles.
  • Manage anxiety with breathing exercises.

When do I need to call the doctor?


Activate the emergency medical system right away if you have signs of a heart attack. Call 911 in the United States or Canada. The sooner treatment begins, the better your chances for recovery. Call for emergency help right away if you have: ‚  
  • Signs of heart attack:
    • Chest pain
    • Trouble breathing
    • Fast heartbeat
    • Feeling dizzy

Call your doctor if: ‚  
  • The pain is not controlled or worsens
  • You have trouble breathing
  • You have fever, chills, or coughing up yellow-green mucus
  • You have problems swallowing
  • Your pain is due to stress and the stress cannot be relieved

Teach Back: Helping You Understand


The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚  
  • I can tell you about my pain.
  • I can tell you what may help ease my pain.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have signs of a heart attack.
  • I can tell you what I will do if I have trouble breathing or problems swallowing.

Where can I learn more?


American College of Gastroenterology ‚  
http://patients.gi.org/topics/non-cardiac-chest-pain ‚  

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer


This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚  

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