What is another medical term for chest pain? Understanding Angina and Other Causes

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 6.5 million people visit the emergency department for chest pain annually. However, if you've ever wondered what is another medical term for chest pain?, the answer is often tied to the underlying cause, most notably a condition known as angina pectoris.

Quick Summary

Angina pectoris is the most common medical term for chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. This sensation is often a symptom of underlying heart disease and requires careful medical evaluation to determine the specific cause and appropriate treatment.

Key Points

• Angina Pectoris: This is the most common medical term for chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle, often due to coronary artery disease.

• Not a Diagnosis: Angina is a symptom, not a diagnosis. It signals an underlying condition that needs to be properly identified and treated.

• Angina is Not a Heart Attack: While angina can be a warning sign, especially unstable angina, a myocardial infarction (heart attack) involves the death of heart tissue from a complete blockage.

• Multiple Causes: Chest pain can result from cardiac problems like pericarditis, lung issues like pleurisy, or musculoskeletal conditions like costochondritis, not just blockages.

• Requires Evaluation: Because symptoms overlap, it is impossible and dangerous to self-diagnose chest pain. Any persistent or concerning chest pain requires professional medical attention.

• Immediate Care: New, severe, or worsening chest pain, especially with radiating pain, shortness of breath, or sweating, warrants immediate emergency medical care.

Angina Pectoris: The Primary Medical Term

For many health-related contexts, the primary medical term for chest pain is angina pectoris, or simply "angina." This term is used specifically to describe the squeezing, pressure, or tightness in the chest that occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. Angina is a symptom, not a disease itself, and it is most commonly a sign of coronary artery disease (CAD), where arteries leading to the heart become narrowed or blocked by plaque.

Types of Angina

Understanding the different types of angina is critical for proper medical assessment:

• Stable Angina: The most common form, this chest pain typically occurs during physical exertion or emotional stress. It follows a predictable pattern and usually subsides with rest or medication like nitroglycerin. The episodes are often short-lived, lasting only a few minutes.
• Unstable Angina: This is a more serious and dangerous type of chest pain that is considered a medical emergency. It is unpredictable, can occur at rest, and lasts longer or is more severe than stable angina. It does not respond to rest or typical medication and can indicate an impending heart attack.
• Microvascular Angina: Also known as Syndrome X, this type of angina is caused by spasms in the small arteries of the heart, rather than blockages in the main coronary arteries. It can occur during rest or exercise and is more common in women.
• Variant (Prinzmetal's) Angina: This is a rare form of angina caused by a spasm in the coronary arteries. It usually happens while a person is at rest, often in the early morning, and can be very painful.

Beyond Angina: Other Medical Terms for Chest Pain

While angina is a key term, chest pain can also be a symptom of many other conditions, both cardiac and non-cardiac. The specific medical term used depends on the underlying cause. Some other terms and conditions include:

• Myocardial Infarction: The medical term for a heart attack, where blood flow to the heart is completely blocked, causing heart muscle tissue to die. It often presents with severe and persistent chest pain.
• Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium, the sac-like membrane surrounding the heart. This can cause a sharp, stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or lying down.
• Pleurisy: Inflammation of the pleura, the lining of the lungs and chest wall. The pain is typically a sharp, stabbing sensation that gets worse with coughing, sneezing, or deep breathing.
• Costochondritis: An inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone. The pain is often sharp and localized and can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack.
• Aortic Dissection: A life-threatening condition involving a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's main artery. It causes sudden, severe, ripping or tearing chest pain.
• Pulmonary Embolism: A blockage in one of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs, typically caused by a blood clot. This can cause sharp chest pain, especially with breathing, along with shortness of breath.

Cardiac vs. Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Distinguishing between cardiac and non-cardiac causes of chest pain is crucial. A thorough medical evaluation is the only way to determine the origin, but certain characteristics can be helpful.

Comparing Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Feature	Cardiac Chest Pain	Non-Cardiac Chest Pain
Sensation	Squeezing, pressure, fullness, or tightness.	Sharp, stabbing, burning, or localized tenderness.
Location	Often radiates to the arm, neck, jaw, or back.	Tends to be localized and not widespread.
Duration	Can last for a few minutes and recur. Unstable angina is persistent.	Varies widely, can be very brief or prolonged.
Triggers	Exertion, stress, or sometimes rest (unstable angina).	Specific movements, breathing, coughing, or eating.
Relief	Stable angina may improve with rest or medication.	Often relieved by antacids, changing position, or pain relievers.
Associated Symptoms	Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness.	Belching, bloating, anxiety, fever.

Diagnostic Procedures for Chest Pain

When a patient presents with chest pain, healthcare providers follow a systematic approach to determine the cause. The evaluation may include:

1. Electrocardiogram (ECG/EKG): Records the electrical signals of the heart to detect abnormalities.
2. Blood Tests: Measures levels of cardiac enzymes, such as troponin, which are released into the bloodstream when heart muscle is damaged.
3. Chest X-ray: Allows doctors to examine the heart, lungs, and blood vessels for issues like pneumonia or fluid buildup.
4. Computed Tomography (CT) Scan: Can detect blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) or aortic problems.
5. Stress Test: Evaluates how the heart performs under stress by having the patient exercise or take medication that mimics exertion.
6. Echocardiogram: An ultrasound of the heart to see how it is pumping and functioning.
7. Coronary Angiography: An invasive procedure using dye and X-rays to visualize blockages in the coronary arteries.

Treatment Approaches for Chest Pain

Treatment for chest pain is entirely dependent on the diagnosis. For cardiac issues like angina, common treatments include:

• Medications: Nitrates to relax blood vessels, beta-blockers to slow the heart rate, and antiplatelet drugs like aspirin to prevent clots.
• Lifestyle Changes: A heart-healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and stress management.
• Medical Procedures: For severe blockages, procedures like angioplasty and stenting can be performed. Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery is an option for more extensive blockages.

For non-cardiac causes, treatment is directed at the specific underlying condition, which might involve anti-inflammatory medication for costochondritis, antibiotics for bacterial infections, or medication for gastrointestinal issues.

Seeking Medical Attention for Chest Pain

It is vital to treat any episode of chest pain with caution and to seek professional medical help. The overlap in symptoms between serious and benign conditions makes self-diagnosis dangerous. Unstable angina and myocardial infarction are medical emergencies, so if chest pain is new, severe, persistent, or accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, radiating pain, or profuse sweating, immediate emergency care is required.

For more information on the distinctions between angina and a heart attack, the American Heart Association provides a valuable resource: Know the Key Differences Between Angina & Heart Attack.

Conclusion

While a common medical term for chest pain is angina pectoris, this is far from the only possibility. Chest pain can be a symptom of a wide range of conditions, from life-threatening heart events to less serious musculoskeletal issues. Due to this complexity, anyone experiencing unexplained or persistent chest pain should seek prompt medical evaluation. The diagnostic process, involving everything from simple blood tests to advanced imaging, is designed to pinpoint the precise cause and ensure you receive the correct, timely treatment. Never ignore chest pain; consulting a healthcare professional is always the safest course of action.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is all chest pain considered angina?

No. While angina pectoris is a medical term for chest pain caused by heart-related issues, chest pain can be caused by many other conditions, including problems with the lungs, esophagus, muscles, or even psychological distress like panic attacks. A medical evaluation is necessary to determine the cause.

What is the difference between stable and unstable angina?

Stable angina follows a predictable pattern, is often triggered by exertion, and is relieved by rest or medication. Unstable angina is more dangerous, as it is unpredictable, can occur at rest, is more severe, and does not respond as readily to medication. Unstable angina is a medical emergency.

Can anxiety and panic attacks cause chest pain?

Yes, they can. Symptoms of a panic attack, such as a racing heart and feelings of dread, can cause chest tightness or pain that can be mistaken for a heart problem. However, medical professionals must rule out a cardiac cause before attributing chest pain to anxiety.

What is costochondritis and how is it related to chest pain?

Costochondritis is the inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. It is a very common non-cardiac cause of chest pain that can feel sharp, stabbing, and is often made worse by movement or pressing on the affected area.

What tests can a doctor perform to diagnose the cause of chest pain?

A doctor can use several tests, including an electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure the heart's electrical activity, blood tests to check for cardiac enzymes, a chest X-ray, or more advanced imaging like a CT scan. A stress test or echocardiogram may also be used to assess heart function.

When should I go to the emergency room for chest pain?

You should seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience new, severe, or unexplained chest pain, especially if it is accompanied by other symptoms like shortness of breath, pain radiating to your arm or jaw, or cold sweats. These could be signs of a heart attack.

Is chest pain in women always the same as in men?

No, symptoms can differ. While men often report classic symptoms like pressure, women may experience more subtle signs, including shortness of breath, nausea, extreme fatigue, or pain in the back, neck, or jaw. This can sometimes lead to delays in seeking care.