Sudden Sharp Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the symptoms or conditions that is not to be ignored. In fact, as it is a common knowledge that it is a symptom of heart attack, people are often intimidated by this condition. But, it is not always related to heart attack. However, it should not be ignored, as chest pain can be a symptom of several diseases and disorders.

Causes

As mentioned above, pain in the chest can be caused due to minor as well as severe disorder. In minor cases, lifting very heavy objects, sudden bending, etc. can lead to a sudden pain which is not a serious condition. On the other hand, the following are the other causes that can lead to sharp chest pain in men and women.

Angina Pectoris
Angina pectoris, or simply angina, is a sharp and sudden chest pain caused due to lack of oxygen to the heart. The symptoms of this condition include pain in the middle or left side of chest, left arm pain, etc. It is essential to consult the doctor when suffering from angina as this condition can increase the risk of heart attack.

Heart Attack
Sudden left side chest pain is often associated with heart attack. This condition occurs when the blood supply to the heart gets obstructed due to specific reasons. Sudden sharp chest pain on the left side, left arm, severe sweating, etc. are the classic symptoms of heart attack.

Aortic Dissection
Aortic dissection develops when the inner wall of the aorta tears resulting in spilling of blood in outer layers. Pain in the chest, back, stroke, loss of consciousness, high blood pressure, etc. are the symptoms of this condition. It should be noted that this is a life-threatening condition and hence, quick emergency treatment should be sought.

Pneumonia
If you experience chest pain when breathing, then pneumonia can be one of the causes of it. Pneumonia is a severe respiratory disorder caused due to bacteria or fungus. Fever, chest pain, headache, shortness of breath, cough, etc. are the symptoms of this condition.

Acid Reflux
Acid reflux disease or gastrointestinal reflux disease develops when the acid in the stomach seeps back in the esophagus due to various causes. Chest pain is accompanied with nausea, loss of appetite, sour taste in mouth, etc.

Apart from the above mentioned ones, causes of chronic or acute chest pain also include Pneumothorax, Pulmonary embolism, Perforated Viscus, Pericardial catch syndrome, etc. If one observes, severe and sudden pain, he/she should consult the doctor immediately.

Treatment

The doctor will undertake physical examination and X-ray or MRI to diagnose the cause. In case of emergency, first aid is given as soon as the patient is admitted to the hospital. The treatment of angina depends on the severity of the condition. Medications, IV, immediate supply of oxygen, complete rest under observation, etc, are the treatment methods. In case one observes symptoms of heart attack, he should seek emergency treatment to prevent further complications. Hospitalization, angioplasty, rest, medications are required to treat heart attack. Aortic dissection can be treated with the help of surgical procedures and medications. Treatment of pneumonia depends on the cause of it. Bacterial pneumonia can be treated with the help of antibiotics whereas other medications are used to treat pneumonia caused by other conditions.

Lastly, as a concluding note, one should remember that chest pain is often associated with severe disorders and hence, it should not be ignored. One should get the condition checked by the doctor immediately and take further treatment. Take care!