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Chest Pain

Upper East Side Cardiology

Cardiovascular Disease & Vein Specialist located in Upper East Side, New York, NY

Chest pain doesn’t always mean you’re having a heart attack. It may not even be caused by a heart condition. But it’s a symptom that should always be evaluated by Satjit Bhusri, MD, at Upper East Side Cardiology, where you receive compassionate care, on-site diagnostic testing, and prompt individualized treatment based on the cause of your chest pain. If you have questions about your symptoms or need to schedule an appointment, call the office in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan, New York City, or use the online booking feature.

Chest Pain Q & A

What causes chest pain?

You may experience chest pain due to many conditions that aren’t related to your heart. For example, acid reflux, gallbladder disease, and a pulled back muscle can all cause chest pain.

Chest pain, however, is the primary symptom of heart problems, such as:

  • Heart attack
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Torn aorta (aortic dissection)
  • Heart valve disease
  • Inflamed heart muscles (myocarditis)
  • Inflamed pericardium (pericarditis)

Chest pain that is caused by narrowed or blocked coronary arteries is called angina pectoris.

What other symptoms accompany chest pain?

Chest pain that’s caused by heart disease often appears with other symptoms. Depending on the cause of your pain, you may also experience one or more of the following:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Chest tightness or pressure
  • Pain that’s worse when you’re active
  • Pain that varies in intensity
  • Racing or fluttering heartbeat
  • Swollen legs and feet
  • Excessive sweating
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue
  • Cough

Seek immediate medical care if you have symptoms of a heart attack, such as sudden chest pain or crushing pressure, shortness of breath, and pain in your jaw, neck, back, shoulders, or arms.

How do cardiologists diagnose chest pain?

Diagnosing your chest pain begins with a detailed review of your symptoms and medical history, followed by a thorough physical examination. At Upper East Side Cardiology, you receive prompt, on-site tests so your provider can quickly diagnose and treat your chest pain.

When your symptoms point to a heart condition, you have tests such as an electrocardiogram, echocardiogram, and/or ultrasound. Then your provider decides if you need additional testing, such as a stress test or wearing a Holter monitor.

How do cardiologists treat chest pain?

At Upper East Side Cardiology, you receive comprehensive care for the cardiovascular condition causing your chest pain, from lifestyle changes to medications and minimally invasive procedures.

When heart conditions are caught at an early stage, lifestyle changes can stop disease progression and treat underlying conditions such as high blood pressure. 

Following a heart-healthy diet, getting enough exercise, stopping smoking, and losing weight are also integral parts of a treatment plan to ward off heart disease.

Your provider may prescribe one of many possible medications to treat the cause of your chest pain.

The team at Upper East Side Cardiology specializes in endovascular procedures that can treat the underlying condition using specialized instruments inserted through your blood vessels. Examples of these procedures include angioplasty and stenting, catheter ablation, and inserting a pacemaker.

Don’t wait to get help for chest pain. Call Upper East Side Cardiology or request an appointment online today.