Chest Pain
Chest pain is the often an indicator that the
heart is not receiving enough oxygen. Chest pain can be caused
by a blockage of the coronary arteries that supply blood to the
heart, or by an overworked heart which needs more oxygen than usual.
The medical term angina pectoris is used for
this type of chest pain. It literally means "a choking sensation
of the chest." Usually, chest pain caused by angina is a crushing
or constricting pain that starts in the center of the chest, and
may radiate to other parts of the body. The pain is sometimes confused
with indigestion. Chest pain can also be misinterpreted as a heart
attack; the pain of angina is similar but does not last as long,
typically no more than a few minutes.
An estimated three million Americans suffer
from chest pains. It is prevalent in people over 30 and increases
with age. Men are also more likely to suffer from chest pains.
Alone, angina causes no permanent damage since the heart is only
temporarily deprived of oxygen. However, if chest pains worsen,
risk of heart attack generally increases. Most chest pain occurs
with exertion and recedes with rest. Weakness, sweating, shortness
of breath, anxiety, palpitations, and nausea or lightheadedness
may also accompany chest pains.
Other Disease Information:
Alzheimers, Arterial
Plaque, Arteriosclerosis,
Blood Clotting, Chest
Pain, Cholestasis, Chronic
Fatigue Syndrome, Circulatory
System, Coronary Disease,
Heart Attack, Disease,
Heart Disease, Inflammatory
Disorder, Mononucleosis, Obesity,
Preeclamsia, Stroke,
Vascular
Chest Pain Nutraceutical Products:
Essential Seven |
