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How To Differentiate Between Chest Or Back Pain And A Heart Attack?

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Posted on Wed, 4 Mar 2015
Question: How do you differentiate between chest/ back pain and a heart attack symptom?
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (17 minutes later)
Heart attack usually gives dull or squeezing pain which radiates to the left arm or jaw. Fear of death, sweating, dizziness can appear.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Follow up: Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (12 minutes later)
This pain get worse when i move
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Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (34 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Rib nerve pain gets worse when moving.

Detailed Answer:
If the pain is well localized (you are able to point the spot where it appears), sharp, more intense when moving or breathing, less intense when you hold your breath its not a hear attack.
Such pain is caused by rib nerve irritation. It is sometimes called costochondirtis. Due to rib nerve irritation the pain appears. Such irritation can be caused by local inflammation, spine problem, however in most cases there is no particular reason for this issue. Even long staying in one position (like sleeping or driving a car), lifting something can trigger such pain.

Heart pain does not get worse when moving or breathing. It very often radiates to left arm or jaw. It is also dull and not localized. When you hold your breath, the pain is still the same.

For rib nerve pain, hot bath, painkillers (like Diclophenac) or even a massage can help.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Grzegorz Stanko

General Surgeon

Practicing since :2008

Answered : 5797 Questions

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How To Differentiate Between Chest Or Back Pain And A Heart Attack?

Heart attack usually gives dull or squeezing pain which radiates to the left arm or jaw. Fear of death, sweating, dizziness can appear.