There are numerous causes of chest pain, some of them life-threatening, and it accounts for 5% of all emergency hospital visits. It is most commonly caused by acute coronary syndrome, but chest pain also can be caused by factors including gastrointestinal reflux disease (the most common non-cardiac cause of chest pain), pulmonary embolisms, pericarditis, and musculoskeletal factors.
Chest Pain Risk Factors
There is a wide range of risk factors that can increase a patient’s risk of experiencing chest pain.
- Risk factors for acute coronary syndrome can include a family history of cardiac disease, prior myocardial infarction, hypertension and/or hyperlipidemia, and diabetes.
- Pulmonary embolism risk factors include previous incidences of pulmonary embolism or deep vein thrombosis, use of hormonal medication, recent incidents of surgery, cancer, or an inability to walk.
- Other risk factors can include drug and tobacco use, recent endoscopies, bleeding disorders, or kidney disease.
When the patient presents with chest pain symptoms, it’s important to rule out life-threatening conditions like acute coronary syndrome. Patients should be asked about potential risk factors and have a thorough review of their medical history, including family history of cardiac disease and the patient’s history of tobacco and drug use. To learn more about how we can help, call us to schedule an appointment. Same-day appointments are often available.