Chest pain, also referred to as angina, can be caused by an insufficient supply of blood and oxygen to the heart muscle. The body responds to this oxygen deprivation with pain (many people refer to the pain as tightness or pressure) in the chest, arms, shoulders, neck and/or jaw. Some people also experience shortness of breath, fatigue, sweating, dizziness, and/or vomiting. Angina is most frequently caused by narrowing of the coronary arteries due to buildup of fatty deposits (plaque or atherosclerosis) within the artery walls.
Do not ignore these warning signs, as they can be strong indicators of an impending cardiac event. If you experience chest pain, immediately call 9-1-1. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
Chest pain is evaluated in several different ways, but most often your doctor will order a simple test called an electrocardiogram (EKG). This test monitors the electrical activity within the heart and can aid your doctor in determining if your condition is angina or if you are actually having a heart attack. The doctor may also order blood tests that can determine if there is damage to the heart muscle.
Other possible tests a doctor may order to evaluate chest pain are:
- Stress tests
- Nuclear scan
- Echocardiogram
- Blood work to determine if chemicals from heart damage are present
If your doctor concludes you have angina and are not having a heart attack, he or she will discuss treatment options to care for the condition, and prevent future cardiovascular events.
St. Joseph Heart and Vascular Institute has a long standing partnership with Baltimore County Emergency Medical System in implementing protocols to expedite heart attack treatment when 911 is called. The program has equipped ambulances with STEMI (ST-elevation myocardial infarction) systems so that paramedics can transmit EKGs from the scene to St. Joseph's Emergency Department for rapid interpretation by an emergency physician. When a STEMI heart attack has occurred - in which a coronary artery is completely blocked - the physician activates the cardiac catheterization team. This supports faster treatment of STEMI heart attacks by opening the blocked artery to save heart muscle.
St. Joseph's ER and Heart and Vascular Institute also work closely with Baltimore County EMS to promote the Chain of Survival in case someone's heart stops beating. This initiative educates the community about calling 911, performing CPR, and using an automated external defibrillator (AED).