FIRST AID (Chest pain )

Overview
• Feeling of pain /discomfort between neck and abdomen
• Chest pain raises fear of heart attack
• Any tissue or organ in chest can cause pain
• 'Angina' is heart- related chest pain

Causes
• Some mild, others life threatening
• Problems related to the heart
• Asthma
• Pneumonia
• Inflammation in the lung
• Inflammation / strain of rib muscle
• Anxiety
• Indigestion / ulcers in stomach
• Gall bladder stones
• Shingles
• Stress

Symptoms
• Pain or pressure in chest area
• May be accompanied by
a, Heartburn,
b, Vomiting,
c, Dizziness
d, Shortness of breath
e, Fever

Treatment
• If you have asthma or angina take your regular medications
• Medicines like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help
• Consult a doctor if
a, Pain /fever /cough persists
b, Radiating pain occurs
c, Angina occurs at rest
d, The cough produces yellow -green phlegm
e, Pressure / tightness occurs
f, Nausea
g, Dizziness
h, Shortness of breath
i, Sweating
• Hospitalization may be essential
• Tests like ECG, may have to be taken

Prevention
• Maintain normal weight
• Exercise regularly for 30 - 40 minutes
• Check and control BP, diabetes, cholesterol
• Avoid smoking
• Control stress
• Eat low fat balanced diet
• Get health check ups done regularly