While there are many harmless causes of chest pain, such as indigestion or heartburn, it’s never worth the risk of " waiting and seeing.” The good news is that the chances of chest pain being heart-related are low. However, that risk increases with certain risk factors, such as age and certain underlying conditions.
If your chest pain is heart-related, every minute matters. Laurelton Heart Specialists is devoted to providing exceptional cardiology care. Serving the Queens, New York community, cardiologist Ola Akinboboye, MD, MPH, MBA, provides state-of-the-art diagnostic procedures to get to the root of chest pain.
You can rely on our experienced and dedicated team to help keep your heart as strong and healthy as possible. Read on for the top reasons you should never ignore chest pain.
If you’re having a heart attack, every second counts. The longer it takes to get vital medical care, the less likely you’ll survive.
There are different types of heart attacks, and it isn’t possible to know on your own what type you’re having. The most severe type, called STEMI, happens when a blood clot or plaque completely blocks a coronary artery.
STEMI is responsible for one out of every four heart attacks. One-third of STEMI patients fail to get crucial treatment fast enough.
You may decide to drive yourself to the hospital if you don’t think your chest pain is serious. If you’re having a heart attack, you may experience dizziness or lose consciousness while driving. So, you should never drive yourself to the hospital.
Additionally, attempting to drive yourself to the hospital takes more time. Dialing 9-1-1 means receiving life-saving care when you need it most. Additionally, arriving by ambulance also cuts down wait time at the hospital.
After you dial 9-1-1, there are two vital steps you can take as you wait for an ambulance. Taking 325 milligrams of uncoated aspirin can help thin your blood and limit damage to your heart.
The other quick step is to unlock your door so that the paramedics can get to you quickly. If you feel up to it, contact someone so they know you’re headed to the hospital
In most cases, chest pain isn’t a sign of a heart attack. However, even if the pain goes away, don’t write it off as indigestion and go on about your daily life.
Ignoring chest pain means you may fail to schedule an appointment so we can determine the root cause of your chest pain. Cardiovascular-related issues, such as coronary artery disease, commonly cause chest pain, and the sooner you receive a diagnosis and treatment, the better.
Our team can run diagnostics to see if there is a problem with your heart or blood vessels, such as narrowing or a blockage. Diagnosing and treating cardiovascular issues early means reducing the risk of having a heart attack in the future.
Don’t rely on guesswork to determine if you have a cardiovascular issue. When you have symptoms of chest pain, it’s wise to have a heart health check.
Preventative check-ups are even more beneficial. You don’t have to wait until you have symptoms to get your heart checked.
If you have symptoms or are concerned about your heart health, contact us at Laurel Heart Specialists today to schedule a checkup. Your heart will thank you!
