Chest Pain Specialist
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The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center
Cardiologist located in Shenandoah, TX & Sugar Land, TX
Chest pain is an alarming symptom that might mean you have heart problems. If you're experiencing chest pain, Jasmine Khan, MD, and the skilled team at The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center in Shenandoah and Sugar Land, Texas, can help. They can expertly diagnose and deliver a range of advanced treatments to address the cause of your chest pain. Call the office to schedule a consultation or request an appointment online today.
Chest Pain Q & A
Why do I have chest pain?
Chest pain occurs for various reasons, many of which have nothing to do with your heart. For example, chest pain often occurs due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), pleurisy, gallstones, and panic attacks.
Another common type of chest pain is angina. This is a symptom rather than a condition, developing when something's affecting the delivery of oxygen-rich blood to your heart muscle.
Angina is a common symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD) and coronary microvascular disease (MVD). These conditions develop when the narrowing of your arteries reduces blood flow.
When should I visit the doctor about chest pain?
It’s important to seek emergency medical help if your chest pain occurs suddenly or is associated with lightheadedness, vomiting, or a loss of consciousness. Other signs you need to visit the emergency room include shortness of breath, chest tightness, or fatigue.
If you experience chest pain that occurs only once in a while, make an appointment with the team at The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center. Even if your symptoms are mild, it’s important to determine the underlying cause. Early intervention and treatment can reduce the risk of potentially serious issues.
How is chest pain diagnosed?
The first concern when diagnosing chest pain is to determine whether it’s due to an emergency like a heart attack. An electrocardiogram (ECG) that records your heart’s electrical activity is likely to be one of the first tests you have.
Other diagnostic tests you might need to undergo include:
- Chest X-ray
- Computerized tomography (CT) scan
- Doppler and color flow 3D echocardiography
- Echocardiogram
- Contrast- and bubble-enhanced echocardiogram
- Stress echocardiogram
- Dobutamine stress echocardiogram
- Cardiac stress test
The team may also recommend wearing a Holter monitor, which can record your heart rhythm and activity for 24 hours.
What are the treatments for chest pain?
Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure you receive the right treatment for your chest pain.
Sometimes, healthy lifestyle changes are enough to reduce the symptoms of chest pain. For example, you might benefit from eating a healthier diet, exercising regularly, and better managing your stress levels.
If the cause of your chest pain persists, medications can often help reduce pain and other symptoms. Types of medication include:
- Thrombolytic clot-busting drugs
- Anticoagulants like warfarin
- ACE Inhibitors
- Beta-blockers
- Calcium-channel blockers
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines
- Digitalis
- Angiotensin II receptor blockers
- Anti-arrhythmics
- Diuretics
- Nitrates
To find the cause of your chest pain and ensure you receive high-quality care, call The Woodlands Heart & Vascular Center today or request an appointment online.
