Several tests may be required to determine the cause of chest pain. Some of them are listed below:
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Blood tests: Your health care provider may instruct you to get some blood tests that show levels of different proteins circulating in your body e.g. Troponin. Levels of these proteins are reliable indicators of heart damage.
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Chest X-ray: An X-ray of your chest may be performed to check the condition and size of your heart, lungs, and major blood vessels. The X-rays help diagnose abnormalities.
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Computerized tomography: A CT scan can show conditions such as presence of blood clot in your lung (pulmonary embolism) and aortic dissection.
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Electrocardiogram: It shows and monitors the electrical activity of the heart muscle. In case of an abnormality, the heart does not conduct nerve impulses normally.
Other secondary tests include:
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Echocardiogram: video image of heart produced by sound waves
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Stress tests: how heart muscle performs under exertion
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Angiogram: coronary catheterization or angiogram may be done to check the major vessels supplying the heart
Please note, chest pain does not necessarily mean you are having a heart attack.
- How is the test performed?
Different tests have different procedures. Some may require blood samples and some are done with machinery present at clinics only.
- Is there any risk associated with the test?
Usually there are no major risks associated with the tests.
- What levels are dangerous?
The levels are dependent on the abnormality present.
- What are the most common complications?
Blood tests may lead to infections (rarely) at the side of needle insertion. Some individuals may be hesitant to undergo procedures such as CT scan.
Overall, there are no major complications.
Different tests measure different things in the body.
Some may measure the level of different proteins present in the body and some measure the size of heart, lungs, and major blood vessels.
INTERPRETATION OF THE TEST?
The results of the tests vary depending on different factors such as:
- Type of abnormality
- Age
- Sex
- Duration of disease
- Progression of disease
The health care provider will tell you the correct and accurate interpretation of your test results.
It is important for you to see your health care provider if you suffer from chest pain. Negligence may worsen the condition and lead to irreversible damage. If you experience chest pain, you may have one of the following conditions:
- Angina
- Heart attack
- Indigestion
- Pulmonary embolism
- Muscle strain
- Heartburn
Please see a health care provider immediately if you experience chest pain.
