Developing chest pain all of a sudden can be a scary experience but it is important to try stay calm and reach out to the nearest healthcare facility at the earliest for further evaluation, say experts. Panicking about it can make the condition worse, they say. However, not all chest pains are heart attacks, but no chest pain should be ignored either. Also, it is important to not take any cardiac medications without doctor’s advice.
Not all chest pains are heart attacks
Taking medications from some proclaimed medical kits, following messages on social media, without prescriptions, can do more harm than help in such situations. A Kanpur-based doctor’s recent social media post about a seven rupee heart attack kit has gone viral which essentially consisted of an aspirin-based blood thinner, a cardiac muscle relaxing tablet and cholesterol lowering drug. Experts pointed out that except the blood thinner, the remaining two are more relevant before the onset of an actual heart attack and not after. These drugs should also be taken as per medical advice.
First response to a sudden chest pain
Doctors say in case of sudden chest pain, one should sit or lie down, if possible and avoid moving around a lot as it can make the condition worse if one is experiencing a heart attack. A diagnosis for chest pain can be made at a facility with an ECG and if it is heart-related, it can be life-threatening, says Dr Jyoti Kusnur, interventional cardiologist at Manipal Hospital, Goa. She adds there is a 99 percent chance of survival if one reaches the hospital within the golden hour even in case of a massive heart attack.
Dr Abhijit Vilas Kulkarni, senior interventional cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, Bangalore, says if a person with associated risk factors like diabetes, blood pressure, stress and family history of heart conditions, develops chest pain, there are more chances of it being cardiac related.
Pain in the central chest along with radiating pain in the arm, jaw and breathlessness usually indicate heart issues. But it could also be due to acidity, muscular pain, arm pain, spondylotic pain or psychological issues. “If one develops chest pain, it can shoot up anxiety as well and that can also cause sweating and breathlessness.” Dr Kusnur says if the chest pain is due to acidity, it can get worse when the person lies down and if it is due to heart problems, one would usually feel pain getting worse on exertion.
Dr Deepak Krishnamurthy, senior consultant, interventional cardiology, Kauvery Hospital, Marathahalli, Bangalore, adds, “It is difficult to differentiate by someone (other than a trained medical professional), if the chest pain is cardiac related or due to other reasons. The only medicine that is comparatively safer to take in case of chest pain is one dose of aspirin or a dose of antacid if the person thinks it is due to gastric issue,” he says. Dr Kulkarni adds however, if one has gastric issues, aspirin may further aggravate burning sensation as it is known to cause acidity.
Why cardiac medications should not be taken without a reason?
Blood thinners and statin are usually prescribed to those who are already diagnosed with heart conditions and are at risk of developing heart attacks. But experts say taking these medicines empirically can have dangerous consequences. Dr Krishnamurthy says, “For example, if one has a gastric ulcer and takes blood thinners, they can develop bleeding and other complications. Some medicines from the nitrates class of drugs are used to treat heart problems but if taken in a non-cardiac related chest pain, it can cause severe headache and lower blood pressure, causing the person to lose consciousness.”
Experts emphasize reaching the nearest hospital or calling an ambulance with proper facilities to respond to cardiac emergencies in case of acute chest pain. “If the chest pain is heart related, it can cause arrhythmias. So, calling an ambulance or reaching a hospital with access to a defibrillator can be life saving. One can also fall unconscious but that again, need not always be heart related. It can also happen due to neurological or sometimes psychiatric problems. A bystander or caregiver should then be able to check pulse and give CPR if they don’t find a pulse,” says Dr Kulkarni. The attendant should continue to give CPR until the person gains consciousness or the medical help arrives.
Takeaways
- Not all chest pains are heart attacks and so, it is important to understand the cause behind it before taking a further course of action.
- It is important not to take medicines from any cardiac kit without being sure if the chest pain is due to heart problems as they can otherwise cause side effects.
- Try and stay calm and reach the nearest hospital at the earliest if you experience chest pain, say experts.
