Having Chest Pain-Is It Your Heart?
A few words on getting info across to Docs. Just watching the news can give you ‘agita’ (Italian slang for indigestion, so can your Aunt Sophie’s spicy casserole but intermittent chest pain (termed angina) can be caused by heart disease. Many use the term ‘pain’ others ‘discomfort’. It is important to decide if chest pain is caused by your esophagus in spasm, your stomach or your heart.
Most describe ‘angina’ (heart pain) as tightness, taking breath away, squeezing around chest. Many say they have a sense of ‘impending doom’. Others especially woman may describe a band around chest, indigestion or feeling faint. Elderly may just say they feel weak.
Not to miss/ignore Angina, describe to your Doc the pain/discomfort.
Pain is perceived differently. We are all unique hence our body talks to us in a different manner. By relating pain level to a past condition that was diagnosed (ex. broken bone, tooth abscess), your tolerance or lack of – to pain can be gauged.
Communication in a succinct, preferably written form, will help guarantee that your descriptions – the ‘what when where’ are heard. Be sure to mention if something relieved your pain.
It is up to you to try to get the best possible care.
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