Contenido:

CHEST PAIN (THORACIC)

If a patient suffers from chest pain, several very important considerations must be taken into account:

• Chest pains of very different causes and prognosis may present very similar symptoms. In particular, the radiated pain (projected) to the left arm is possible in most conditions causing thoracic pain and it is not exclusive of coronary pain (myocardial infarction, angina).
• Chest pain may be the expression of a minor problem or a severe disease. Even though a prolonged thoracic pain is usually regarded as more severe, there is little relationship between the intensity and severity of the pain.
• In some cases there may be several causes in the same patient that trigger the chest pain.
• Some conditions outside the chest may affect this location.

Obviously, the first thing to do with a thoracic pain is to try to characterize if it is a minor or major condition. For this purpose MEDICAL ADVICE VIA RADIO , is necessary, letting the patient rest without eating or drinking alcohol, stimulants or smoking. Anteriorly, the temperature, pulse frequency and characteristics, respiratory rate and blood pressure should be noted down (refer to Chapter 3.2, PHYSICAL EXAMINATION).

Pain caused by exertion (work, large meal, etc.) may appear suddenly, disappear in two to three minutes, and reappear later on with an increasing intensity; the patient is immobile, pale and sweaty; he places his hand on his chest and breathes with difficulty. In this case, before the consultation, try to alleviate the pain with a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue without chewing (DRAWER 1, first aid kits A, B, and C); this dose may be repeated after five minutes (refer to Chapter 2.2, HEART ATTACK).