Khaberni - Dr. Abdul Rauf Khoshimov, a cardiologist, stated that pain in the heart area is not always linked to heart and vascular diseases, and there might be other causes.
According to him, it is essential to recognize the signs indicating an emergency, and to understand how to act in case of problems for oneself or loved ones around, as every minute can be crucial.
The doctor says:
"It is difficult to list all the diseases or conditions that may cause pain in the heart area, but there are common causes for this symptom, including: gastroesophageal reflux disease, esophagitis, gastritis, stomach or duodenal ulcer, cholecystitis, pulmonary embolism, anemia, osteoporosis, thoracic vertebral pain, diaphragmatic hernia, myocarditis, and Tietze syndrome. Therefore, in all cases, it is necessary to consult a physician when experiencing chest pain."
The physician points out that heart pain is characterized by several features:
It is centered behind the sternum and may spread to the left side of the body such as the shoulder, jaw, or back, and sometimes to the upper abdomen; it may be accompanied by vomiting;
It appears during or after physical exertion or emotional stress;
It is characterized by the nature of the pain (burning, crushing, stabbing, or cutting);
It is associated with anxiety and fear of death, panic, shortness of breath, and dizziness;
It does not relieve by changing body posture;
It may be accompanied by irregular heartbeats or blood pressure instability;
It usually lasts from minutes to several hours, unlike nerve pain, which may last for days or weeks;
It may improve using coronary artery dilating drugs such as nitroglycerin or nitroglycerin spray.
The doctor affirms: "When these symptoms appear, it is necessary to call an ambulance immediately."
He adds that, unfortunately, heart muscle infarction may occur without clear pain, but most cases present typical symptoms that require prompt action.
In this case, the following steps are advised immediately:
Stop any physical activity immediately;
Sit or lie down in a comfortable position, taking off any tight clothing around the chest;
Take 0.5 mg of nitroglycerin sublingually or use the spray, with the need to measure blood pressure beforehand as low blood pressure may make using the drug risky;
If pain persists after the medication, call an ambulance immediately;
And if the pain quickly disappears after nitroglycerin, a heart doctor should be consulted for necessary exams, like measuring blood pressure and performing an electrocardiogram.
