When was the last time you had to be in an ER near you for pain? While everyone dreads the thought of being in an ER, it is the best place for you when you are in pain. Some types of pains cannot be managed with over-the-counter pain medication. When it comes to chest pain, the stakes are higher than you need urgent medical care than not.

What Is Chest Pain?

It features any level of pain experienced in the chest region, felt on different areas, including the back of your chest, the ribs, muscles, or center of your chest. Chest pain should be a health condition you take seriously, having that it can indicate a myriad of problems. Without visiting an ​ER for chest pain, you cannot fully determine why you are experiencing pain in your chest. Further, it is impossible to understand the source of your pain, as the chest encloses various body organs, including the heart and lungs.

People experience chest pain differently. Some of the ways that patients at ​the Waco emergency room describe their chest pain include the following:

1. ​Tightness in chest
2. Dull and persistent pain
3. Crushing or squeezing pain
4. Burning sensation in the chest
5. Right-side chest pain
6. Left-side chest pain
7. Pain in the middle of the chest
8. Chest pain that comes and goes

​What Causes Chest Pains?

Most patients at Express ER in Waco, TX, may not know is that chest pains can be due to conditions affecting various parts of the body. For instance, a problem with your digestive tract can result in chest pain. It is why we encourage our patients at Express Emergency Room in Waco to get a proper diagnosis before they self-medicate with over-the-counter medicine. Some common causes of chest pain are:

1. Heart problems – are the most life-threatening causes of chest pain. They can be due to congenital heart disease, heart attack, angina, blockages of the blood vessels, to mention a few. Many heart problems have to do with an insufficient supply of oxygen to the heart.
2. Lung problems – respiration is a big part of your health, without which normal functioning of the body would stop. Some lung problems include pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, collapsed lung, covid-19, and obstructive pulmonary disease.
3. Digestive problems – the digestive tract can be problematic enough to cause chest pain. Some problems include ulcers, gallstones, gastritis, hiatal hernia, to mention a few.
4. External trauma – incurred after accidents and injuries. External trauma around your chest area results in musculoskeletal problems like broken ribs or sprained muscles in your chest.
5. Panic attacks – people diagnosed with anxiety are likely to frequently experience panic attacks that can also feel like heart attacks.
6. Cancer of any body organs enclosed in your chest

When Should You Seek Treatment for Chest Pain?

All kinds of chest pains should be taken seriously. Besides, without proper diagnosis, you cannot dismiss your chest pain as a mild issue, when it could be a life-threatening illness. You also need to seek treatment early enough to manage your condition before it gets severe enough to disrupt other major functions of your body. Depending on the cause of your chest pain, treatment options can vary from prescription drugs to immediate surgery. Based on the symptoms you experience, you can deduce how urgently you need treatment near you. Some indicators that you need urgent care for chest pain are:

1. Nausea and vomiting
2. Dizziness and loss of consciousness
3. Shortness of breath
4. Irregular heartbeat – often very fast
5. Sweating, fever, and body chills
6. Loss of appetite
7. Bleeding when you cough

How Can I Prevent Chest Pain?

Some causes of chest pain can be avoided by making changes in your lifestyle. Some ways to prevent chest pain include:

1. Eating healthily – a healthy diet will nourish your body with all the necessary minerals to keep it healthy. Besides, a healthy diet can overcome chest pains linked to digestive problems.
2. Exercising – to keep your body fit and healthy.
3. Seeking treatment for underlying health problems like diabetes.
4. Losing weight if you are obese or overweight – will be incredible for managing the health of your heart.
5. Cutting down on alcohol consumption
6. Quitting smoking and other tobacco usages