Dignity Health: Understanding Chest Pain in Arizona

Chest pain is a general term to describe pain or discomfort between the upper abdomen and lower neck area. The most common symptoms of chest pain are a feeling of tightness, pressure, burning, or fullness in the chest. Chest pain can be due to relatively harmless indigestion or it may be a warning sign of a life-threatening event such as a heart attack.

At Dignity Health, our cardiology teams offer complete care to diagnose chest pain in Arizona, in order to prevent and treat complications from heart problems. For the services you need, Find a Doctor today at a Dignity Health location near you.

 

Chest Pain Causes

Most people experience some form of chest pain at some time in their lives. Problems with digestion, anxiety disorders, and lung-related diseases can all result in chest pain symptoms. Digestion-related causes may include heartburn or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), gallstones, peptic ulcer, or gastritis. Lung-related causes can include blood clots in the lung, inflammation in the lining of the lung, or a buildup of fluid in the lungs.

Chest pain can also be a clear sign of a heart problem, including:

If you or a loved one is experiencing chronic chest pain, visit Dignity Health for diagnosis and treatment. Chandler Regional Medical Hospital and St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center are Accredited Chest Pain Centers designated by the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care. This recognition is given to hospitals that have achieved a high level of expertise in treating patients who arrive with symptoms of a heart attack.

 

When to Go to the Emergency Room

You should call 9-1-1 right away if you are experiencing the following symptoms: 

  • Chest pain or intense pressure in your chest
  • Shortness of breath, sweating, or chest pain while at rest
  • Chest pain that moves to shoulder blades, jaw, or left arm 

Other symptoms that indicate a life-threatening condition are:

  • Dizziness or feeling disoriented
  • Problems with breathing, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, choking, or not breathing
  • Blue-colored skin, lips, or nails
  • Cold, clammy skin

Chest pain may often be the first sign of a heart attack or other serious condition. Being overly cautious could save your life.

 

Diagnosing Chest Pain at Dignity Health

If you come to a Dignity Health hospital for chest pain diagnosis and treatment, your doctor will evaluate your symptoms and review your medical history. If your doctor believes you are having a heart attack, blood tests and an EKG may be ordered, as well as a chest X-ray to assess your lungs. Treatment will depend on whether your chest pain is caused by a heart, lung, digestive, or anxiety-related disorder.

Dignity Health offers comprehensive care to diagnose and treat all causes of chest pain in Arizona.