At The Urgency Room’s three Twin Cities locations in Woodbury, Vadnais Heights, and Eagan, we see everything from cuts and bites to bad coughs and broken bones. However, one ailment that tops the list when it comes to why Minnesotans are seeking immediate medical help: chest pain.

There are many different causes of chest pain.  We have to narrow that down for our patients at the Urgency Room. A thorough evaluation matters because chest pain can be the result of something simple, like heartburn, or something serious, like a heart attack. The key to finding answers is not only know-how, but also equipment. At The Urgency Room, our advanced diagnostic capabilities, including CT, X-ray, Ultrasound, and a high complexity lab, along with our emergency-trained providers, are uniquely equipped to evaluate and treat these potentially serious symptoms. 

Top diagnoses for chest pain

Chest pain doesn’t always mean a heart attack, but it should never be ignored. Here are the most common causes in the patients we see at The Urgency Room for chest pain. 

Gastroesophageal Reflux (GERD)

Many patients who complain of chest pain are experiencing heartburn or acid reflux. These conditions can mimic cardiac pain or even a heart attack. Heartburn tends to feel like a burning sensation in the chest or upper stomach.  Sometimes it can be pain that travels from the stomach up and into the throat.  While these symptoms are commonly due to acid, they can also be symptoms of a heart attack.

Pneumonia

Lung infections like pneumonia can cause chest pain, especially when patients are breathing deeply or coughing.  Pain in these cases is often sharp or stabbing, and sometimes it can be painful to breath.  The pain typically arises due to the inflammation of lung tissue, pleura, or the lining around the lungs and the airways.

Musculoskeletal Pain

Pain in the muscles or bones of the chest wall is a common source of chest pain.  This is can be caused by inflammation, injury, or strain. Sports, weightlifting, or even shoveling snow are common ways to pull a chest muscle.  A fall or other injury could cause a rib fracture.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE)

A pulmonary embolism is a serious cause of chest pain. This is a potentially life-threatening blood clot in the lungs, and patients need immediate care. Aside from chest pain, patients may feel shortness of breath, painful breathing, back pain, leg pain, swelling, dizziness, or fainting. Some patients may even cough up blood.

Cardiac Conditions

This category includes conditions like angina, myocarditis, or even a heart attack.

Chest pain is a common symptom of a heart attack.  In a heart attack, one or more of the arteries that feed the heart become blocked.  When the heart is not getting the blood flow it needs, it causes pain.  Decreased or blocked blood flow to the heart can cause damage to the heart muscle.

Myocarditis is a second cause of chest pain that can come from a heart problem.  Myocarditis is an inflammation of heart tissue.  This can affect the heart’s electrical system and its ability to pump blood to the body. In severe cases, when the blood is not pumping properly, myocarditis can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Myocarditis can be caused from many different causes including viral or bacterial infection, autoimmune diseases such as lupus, or other infections such as Lyme disease.

Chest pain is the main symptom of a heart attack, but other common symptoms include shortness of breath, pain in the back, neck, or jaw, lightheadedness, and arm or shoulder pain. Women often report sudden tiredness, nausea, or vomiting. If you suspect a heart attack, it’s important to get checked out right away to increase chances of survival as well as reduce damage to your heart.

Whatever the cause, it bears repeating, chest pain is never a symptom to ignore.

Dr. Kristi Trussell, Assistant Medical Director of The Urgency Room.