Chest pain can occur through numerous causes:
- Muscle or rib pain from exercise or injury. The patient may feel pain by moving, and only rest and taking aspirin can provide relief.
- Respiratory infection or lung injury, worsening with coughing and deep breathing.
- Indigestion, accompanied by nausea, belching, and heartburn. This pain can be relieved with antacids.
- Heart attack.
- Angina pectoris, through which pain is a consequence of exercise, exposure to low temperatures and emotions. It is rare that it lasts longer than 5 minutes and can be relieved with nitroglycerin.
What to do?
- In the event that angina pectoris presents, it must be determined whether the patient is carrying medications prescribed by his or her physician. In this case, if he is conscious, help him get them.
- If the pain disappears in 10 minutes suspect angina. If it lasts longer than 10 minutes, suspect a heart attack.
Source: Mediserve‘s Pocket Guide to First Aid.
