Experiencing chest pain can be alarming and, indeed, should not be taken lightly. Though sometimes chest pain may indicate a life-threatening condition, it can have many other causes that can be diagnosed and treated safely in an urgent care setting. Understanding chest pain, its symptoms, and what type of care to choose will help you to make the best choice.
At ClearChoiceMD Urgent Care, we want you to be informed and equipped to find the care you need. We provide exceptional urgent care for a wide range of conditions at our many convenient locations across Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.
Understanding Chest Pain
Chest pain can be sharp, dull, crushing, heavy, or intermittent. Depending on the underlying cause, chest pain can also spread to your shoulders, neck, back, and arms.
Chest pain has a variety of causes, including digestive problems, muscle pain, lung conditions, or cardiac issues. A medical provider can help to determine the cause of your pain and provide appropriate treatment.
It is important to understand when to seek care in an emergency room for chest pain that may be life-threatening.
When Is Chest Pain an Emergency?
You may be wondering whether to go to an ER or urgent care for chest pain. Sometimes, chest pain is an emergency, and getting to an emergency room immediately is best. If you have chest pain and experience the following symptoms, call 911 or go to an ER right away:
- Chest pressure or tightness.
- Pain that spreads to the jaw, neck, back, shoulder, or one or both arms.
- Pain that lasts longer than a few minutes.
- Pain that increases with activity or varies in severity.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness.
- Clamminess or cold sweats.
- Rapid heartbeat.
- Nausea or vomiting.
These symptoms can indicate a cardiac or other life-threatening cause for your chest pain, and in this case, an ER is better equipped to provide treatment for heart attacks and other dangerous conditions.
In many cases of chest discomfort, urgent care is an appropriate choice and can provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment.
Can I Go to Urgent Care for Chest Pain?
Urgent care can effectively diagnose and treat a wide range of non-emergency conditions, including chest pain from a variety of causes, including muscle pain, digestive issues, and panic attacks. In general, chest discomfort that can be treated at urgent care may have the following characteristics:
- Pain that is mild or moderate.
- Pain accompanied by a burning sensation.
- Pain following an injury.
When you are uncomfortable and in pain, analyzing what is happening can be difficult, and that’s where the experienced providers at ClearChoiceMD come in.
What Can Urgent Care Do for Chest Pain?
You should know that urgent care can provide more rapid care than an ER for non-emergency chest pain. ER wait times can be long, and those with more emergent problems are understandably seen first.
At ClearChoiceMD, our experienced staff can quickly assess your symptoms, collect vital signs including your blood pressure and heart rate, and even perform onsite EKG testing to rule out a cardiac cause and evaluate your heart.
Our caring providers are equipped with a wide range of diagnostic tools, including onsite X-ray services and a lab. Whether you need a chest or abdominal X-ray, or an analysis of your heart rhythm, we can diagnose the cause of your pain and deliver the care you need.
Causes of Chest Pain
There are a variety of conditions that can lead to chest pain or discomfort. Some are emergent, and some are less serious.
Emergency Causes of Chest Pain
Some life-threatening causes of chest pain include:
- Heart Attack: Blocked blood flow to a part of the heart can cause sudden pain due to damage to the heart muscle. A heart attack may be fatal without intervention.
- Angina: A partial blockage in one or more of the arteries that supply blood and oxygen to the heart can cause chest pain, known as angina.
- Aortic Dissection: Separation of the layers of tissue in the aorta, the large artery that carries blood from the heart, is a life-threatening condition.
- Pulmonary Embolism: In this dangerous and painful condition, a blood clot forms and travels to the lungs, obstructing blood flow to the lung tissue.
Other Causes of Chest Pain
There are a variety of non-cardiac causes of chest discomfort, including:
- Muscle Pain: Injury to muscles in the chest or torso can cause pain and discomfort.
- Rib Pain: A fractured or bruised rib can cause chest pain.
- Digestive Problems: Issues in the gastrointestinal system can cause discomfort that may radiate to the chest. These include acid reflux and esophagus conditions.
- Panic Attacks: A panic or anxiety attack can produce symptoms that may resemble those of a heart attack. It may be difficult to differentiate, especially if you have never experienced a panic attack. You should seek emergency evaluation if you are in doubt.
ClearChoiceMD: Trusted Chest Pain Treatment Near You
For rapid diagnosis and treatment for non-emergent chest discomfort, visit ClearChoiceMD. Our experienced providers will get to the bottom of your symptoms and provide the care you need. In the event that you need emergency care, our staff will arrange rapid transport to the closest ER.
For exceptional medical services with the convenience of urgent care, visit a location near you.
