Is this chest pain coming from heart?

This question is very commonly asked during clinical practice.

Even before reaching out to a doctor most patient fear any chest pain as originating from the heart. The associated fear of heart attack and possible death is enormous and compels patients to seek medical advice.

Most patient consult cardiologist and then are sent back to physicians to look for other causes after ruling out heart disease. This puts enormous pressure on already meager health services.

So how do a paatient know that this pain is not heart pain.

Though a physicians advice should always be sought but the most important point in this regard is wheather the chest pain comes on exertion and disappears within minutes once patient stops walking.

A chest pain in younger patients, which is present for many hours and increases with meals is most likely coming from stomach.

If such is the case, don’t panic but do take advice of your family physician and don’t go directly to cardiology hospital.