In this Article

• Introduction
• What are the sources of chest pain?
• What are the symptoms and causes of chest pain?
• How is chest pain diagnosed?
• What is the philosophy of the approach to chest pain diagnosis?
• What is the diagnosis and treatment for cause of chest pain?
• Broken or bruised ribs
• Costochondritis
• Pleuritis or Pleurisy
• Pneumothorax
• Shingles
• Pneumonia
• Pulmonary embolism
• Angina and heart attack
• Pericarditis
• Aorta and aortic dissection
• Esophagus and reflux esophagitis
• Referred abdominal pain
• Chest Pain At A Glance
• Patient Discussions: Chest Pain - Cause
• Chest Pain Glossary
• Chest Pain Index

Referred abdominal pain

Conditions in the abdomen can present as pain referred to the chest, especially if there is inflammation along the diaphragm. Inflammation of the stomach, spleen, liver, or gallbladder can initially present with non specific pain complaints that may be associated with vague chest discomfort. Physical examination and time to allow the disease process to express itself often allow the appropriate diagnosis to be made. It is also the reason that the whole body is examined, even if the initial complaint is chest pain.

• Similarly, upper abdominal pain may initially present as abdominal pain.
  
  
• Myocardial infarction of the inferior or lower portion of the heart can present as indigestion.
  
  
• Pneumonia can present as upper abdominal pain, especially if the lung inflammation is next to the diaphragm.
  
  
• Aortic dissection can present with chest pain, abdominal pain, or both, depending upon where the dissection occurs.

Chest Pain At A Glance

• There are many causes of chest pain, and while many are not serious, it may be difficult to distinguish between heart attack, pulmonary embolus or aortic dissection, and another diagnosis that is not life-threatening. For that reason, patients are routinely advised to seek medical care for most types of chest pain.
  
  
• While each cause of chest pain has a classic presentation, there are enough variations that it may take specific testing to come to a diagnosis. These tests will depend on the patient's presentation and the healthcare provider's index of suspicion as to what the diagnosis might be.
  
  
• Treatment for chest pain depends upon the cause.
  
  
• It is best to be safe. Always seek medical care for the assessment of chest pain.

Chest Pain - Cause

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