But I Thought It was Indigestion? Tips to Identify Cardiac Pain
Dr. Sameer Gupta, FACC, FSCAI
“I was certain I was having a really bad case of indigestion. I was definitely more uncomfortable and for some reason, I was also sweating” – Mrs. Khosla never thought she could be having a heart attack. Like a lot of women, her heart attack was presenting as a bad case of indigestion. Thankfully, her husband insisted on taking her to the hospital. An ECG indicated she was having a ST elevation myocardial infarction- a heart attack because of a blood clot, in the heart arteries, completely blocking blood flow. I completed her Angiography that confirmed the 100% blocked artery. She required two stents to treat the blockage.”
The vast majority of people connect a heart attack with a crushing sensation in the midsection of the chest, with transmission to the jaw or radiation down the left arm.
Atypical Symptoms
As a medical student, you are taught the characteristic ‘Levine’ sign – the patient puts a gripped clench hand in the midsection to describe the tormenting pain. If you are a woman, elderly or diabetic, possibilities are that you won\’t have any of these classic symptoms, but more of ‘atypical’ symptoms.
Unfortunately, these atypical pains are often mistaken for indigestion and missed by many people. It is important to know the typical and the atypical pains that should require an immediate visit to the closest hospital.
Characteristics Of Cardiac Pain
A majority of people describe cardiac pain as discomfort, pressure, crushing, squeezing, tightness, constriction, strangling, burning, heartburn, in the chest, band-like sensation, something stuck in the middle of the chest or throat; ache, overwhelming pain into midsection – almost like an elephant sitting on your chest. Some of the pains that make it unlikely to be from the heart are – fleeting, knife-like stabbing, alternate pin and needle pricks lasting for seconds.
A few characteristics of the discomfort that is likely to come from the heart are listed below:
- Fleeting pain lasting seconds
- A sharp pain lasting seconds
- Pain that worsens on pressing the area
- Pain that changes with movements
It is important to remember that if you feel uncomfortable or just feel funny, then please see your doctor. The above-mentioned symptoms can only guide you towards the diagnosis of cardiac discomfort, but do not substitute an actual doctor’s evaluation.
Cardiac Pains Need Urgent Attention
When blood flow to an artery of the heart stops because of a blood clot, every second matters. Delay in receiving treatment can cause irreversible damage to the heart muscle that may not be reversed with any procedure or medications.
It can further precipitate various other complications like arrhythmia and heart failure. But a lot of these can be easily prevented with an early diagnosis that can lead to prompt treatment. The earlier you come to the hospital, the better.
Mrs. Khosla’s Story
On further questioning, Mrs. Khosla confessed that she did have similar types of pains for the past few weeks but those usually went away in 15-20 mins. She also had some breathing trouble when she was climbing stairs and walking fast, but ignored it.
She is a few years out of her heart attack and has since been doing great. She is watching her diet, taking her medicines and recently returned from a trip to Kerela. But she did present to the hospital early and hence also had an excellent outcome. Mrs. Khosla’s story is not uncommon. People often disregard the common and not so common warning signs and symptoms that may be related to cardiac discomfort.
Conclusion
It is important to remember that if you have discomfort that seems abnormal, then you should visit the closest hospital immediately. Early recognition of heart disease prompts early treatment that leads to improved survival. Be healthy.
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Disclaimer: This content including advice provides generic information only. It is in no way a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist or your own doctor for more information.