How to identify heart pain
To determine the reasons why your heart is stabbing and understand what to do in such a situation, you need to assess the nature of the discomfort. To do this, pay attention to the following features:
- Localization of pain and the circumstances under which it appears - with lesions of the heart muscle, discomfort is not associated with movement or change in body position.
- Changes in the nature of pain over time - if the severity of discomfort increases and then ends abruptly, this indicates the cardiac nature of the disease. In other cases, discomfort may persist for several hours or even days.
- Reaction to the use of Nitroglycerin and similar drugs - such drugs help with coronary artery disease. If with the help of nitrates it is possible to stop or weaken the attack, a cardiac origin of the discomfort can be suspected.
If the severity of symptoms changes when changing body position, it is worth feeling the pectoral muscles and the spaces between the ribs. If there is spasm of the pectoral muscle or the development of intercostal neuralgia, it is possible to identify painful areas.
To establish the causes of a symptom, you should evaluate the strength and nature of the pain:
- If a person has severe pain and describes in detail all the details of his condition, non-cardiac factors are most likely the cause. In such a situation, emergency measures are not needed.
- When true symptoms appear, people describe their condition rather sparingly, but accurately. There are no unnecessary details.
The following manifestations indicate cardiac disorders:
- increased heart rate;
- heart rhythm disturbance;
- dizziness;
- dyspnea;
- fainting conditions;
- vomit;
- pale or blue complexion;
- frequency of pain;
- increased sweating.
Diagnostics
The main goal of a comprehensive examination is to determine the cause of tingling on the skin. Visual examination and history collection are not enough. To assess the internal state of the body, it is recommended to undergo:
- CT, MRI (for examining the vessels of the brain, spine);
- Ultrasound, x-ray;
- electrocardiogram (evaluation of heart function);
- electroneuromyography (examination of the nervous system);
- blood test, if necessary - examination of cerebrospinal fluid, nervous tissue, skin areas;
- biopsy.
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Causes of tingling in the heart area
If there is a tingling sensation in the heart area, what could it be? Only a specialist can correctly diagnose an anomaly. The main causes of the symptom include the following:
- Osteochondrosis of the thoracic or cervical spine. Also provoking factors are damage to the nerves or ribs. Discomfort appears suddenly and increases with movements of the torso, shoulders or arms, and inhalation.
- Vegetative-vascular dystonia. Neuroses and heart damage are also provoking factors for pain. Often such diseases occur in a child or teenager. Pathologies are accompanied by tingling in the heart, an overexcited state, and tachycardia. Symptoms of illnesses appear after exertion and stress factors. Breathing does not increase discomfort. During auscultation, noises can be heard.
- Pericarditis and myocarditis. Stitching sensations appear after illnesses associated with infection by viruses or bacteria. Discomfort is constantly present and is felt in the heart area. By listening with a stethoscope, the doctor can detect pericardial friction.
- Inflammation of lung tissue and pleura. In this case, a sharp pain occurs on a certain side of the chest. It may get worse when you inhale or cough. During auscultation, friction of the pleura can be heard.
- Aortic dissection. In such a situation, stabbing pain syndrome predominates, which is localized not only in the area of the heart, but also in the interscapular area. Often the symptom is accompanied by an increase in blood pressure.
- Arrhythmia. The pain has a stabbing sensation and occurs in attacks. A person often experiences general weakness.
- Gastroesophageal reflux and hernia in the area of the esophageal opening. Discomfort is associated with overeating. In such a situation, a person experiences signs of heartburn and belching.
- Myositis. This term refers to inflammation that affects the muscle tissue of the skeleton. Hypothermia may be the cause. Symptoms also increase with cold and palpation. In some situations, people experience swelling and hyperemia of the skin.
- Myocardial infarction. It is an arterial thrombosis that leads to the death of the heart muscle. Discomfort may radiate to the throat and jaw. Often the pain radiates to the left arm. It is quite pronounced and does not go away after using Nitroglycerin. The skin becomes sticky and turns pale. People often experience nausea, heartburn, and fainting.
Myocardial infarction - Angina pectoris. In this case, vascular spasm is observed due to insufficient blood flow. Manifestations of the disease resemble a heart attack - discomfort radiates to the jaw and arm, and nausea occurs.
Thus, the heart can hurt for cardiac and non-cardiological reasons. In the first case, the following features are observed:
- the duration of the stabbing pain is more than a quarter of an hour;
- the discomfort is burning and stabbing in nature;
- pain increases with stress or exercise;
- discomfort often radiates to the neck, jaw, left arm and shoulder blade; on the right, pain is felt very rarely.
If the cause lies in non-cardiological factors, the following features are observed:
- pain is present all the time;
- stabbing symptoms or lumbago occur in the heart;
- discomfort increases with sudden movements, coughing, deep breaths;
- it can tingle only in the heart - the pain usually does not affect other organs;
- sometimes limbs go numb.
Prevention
You can prevent negative manifestations from the cardiovascular system by applying simple rules:
- observe a rest and wakefulness regime;
- normalize sleep;
- avoid stressful situations;
- adhere to proper nutrition;
- to refuse from bad habits;
- avoid hypothermia;
- periodically perform only permissible physical activity;
- take daily walks.
A routine examination by a specialist and timely treatment of diseases are the main preventive measures. Tingling in the heart area is a serious symptom that requires consulting a doctor to identify the causes of the development of this condition and further treatment. In any case, such a clinical manifestation cannot be ignored.
Why does my heart pound when I inhale?
Usually the heart stabs when inhaling when respiratory problems occur. This sign is often caused by the occurrence of pneumothorax. The disease occurs against the background of complications of pathologies of the respiratory organs.
As a result, a kind of cushion is formed between the chest and lung tissues. This causes a feeling of tightness and acute pain when a person inhales air.
The development of pneumothorax is observed against the background of inflammation and chronic pathologies of lung tissue, tuberculosis. Other diseases can also cause it.
When blood clots form in the pulmonary vessels, there is a risk of developing embolism. This disease is characterized by an acute pain syndrome of a stabbing nature. It increases with strong breaths. This condition is characterized by rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.
Important: The appearance of pain in the heart with the listed anomalies is observed in the center of the chest. Usually the symptom is present in a calm state.
The provoking factors of the disease also include non-cardiological factors. If pain is observed when inhaling, inaccurate movements, coughing and sneezing, this indicates intercostal neuralgia.
Acute pain syndrome indicates precordial syndrome. With strong inhalations, discomfort increases and can be present for up to 3 minutes. Also, provoking factors include traumatic injuries to the chest, diseases of the esophagus, and the development of osteochondrosis.
What to do: first aid, treatment
First of all, you need to determine why the tingling in the heart occurs. If it is difficult for a person to determine the area where pain is located, the following must be done:
- first of all, stop physical activity and eliminate the influence of stress;
- provide the patient with peace;
- unfasten the buttons on your shirt and the belt on your trousers;
- give the patient 1 tablet of “Nitroglycerin”;
- give the patient 300 mg of Aspirin;
- if angina discomfort is present for more than 5 minutes, you need to give the patient 1 more tablet;
- if symptoms still persist, you should call an ambulance.
If there is a sharp pain in the chest that lasts more than 5 minutes, a heart attack can be suspected. In such a situation, you need to act quickly. If acute and burning pain occurs, which is characterized by a feeling of heaviness and lack of air, you need to do the following:
- call an ambulance;
- free a person from oppressive objects;
- measure pressure;
- with high or normal blood pressure, you can give the patient a Nitroglycerin tablet - the substance is taken sublingually;
- if systolic pressure is less than 100 mmHg. Art., the use of “Nitroglycerin” is prohibited - the drug can cause a decrease in blood pressure, which will aggravate the person’s condition;
- give 300 mg of Aspirin - the patient must chew the drug.
Important: If a person loses consciousness and stops breathing, first aid should include cardiac massage and artificial respiration. If the patient's condition is stable and there is burning pain in the chest, he should not be left alone until the doctor arrives. Usually the patient is given an ECG and hospitalized in the cardiology department.
When to see a doctor?
If unpleasant symptoms are detected, it is important not to delay visiting a doctor, otherwise the disease will develop and this will lead to complications that are dangerous to health and life. In most cases, well-known and proven medications for heart pain and dizziness are useless.
Painkillers, aspirin, nitroglycerin, various types of rest and healthy diets - all of them can be ineffective if your heart hurts and your head is dizzy. Sometimes there is some result, but it does not last long. Do not delay visiting an experienced doctor, who will probably prescribe a brain ultrasound, ECG, echocardiography and blood test.
Drug treatment
To cope with stabbing sensations in the heart, the following medications are used:
- "Validol" - this remedy has a sedative effect. It is applied sublingually and dissolved until the tablet is completely dissolved. The patient's condition returns to normal within 5-15 minutes. It is especially useful to take the substance in a state of stress or when discomfort rarely occurs.
- "Corvalol" - the drug is produced in the form of tablets and alcohol tincture. The substance has a pronounced calming effect. The alcohol base calms the nerves. The disadvantage of the drug is considered to be a negative effect on the liver.
- “Valocordin” is produced in the form of an alcohol tincture, which promotes vasodilation. The number of drops taken should correspond to the patient's age.
- "Nitroglycerin" - this substance has a quick effect. It has calming properties and belongs to the category of effective antispasmodics. You should take the medicine if you suspect a heart attack. It also quickly relieves severe pain. However, it is recommended to use the product only in case of severe pain or on the recommendation of a doctor. The tablets are dissolved in the mouth until dissolved.
- "Cardiomagnyl" is an effective analgesic that helps provide first aid and relieve pain.
- Aspirin helps relieve pain. In a critical condition, the substance is combined with Analgin, while calling an ambulance.
- “Sedalgin”, “Spazmalgon”, “Ketanov” are effective analgesics that have a wide spectrum of action.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional medicines, folk remedies can be used. Before using such recipes, you should consult your doctor. It is especially important to do this during pregnancy. Also, during the treatment period, you should definitely give up coffee and alcohol.
Effective products include the following:
- Garlic. If you eat 2 cloves of garlic every day, you can prevent heart pain. It is worth considering that the product is contraindicated for diseases of the stomach and pancreas.
- Hawthorn. To make a healthy infusion, you need to take 20 g of fruit and 15 g of lemon balm. Add 250 ml of boiling water and place in a steam bath. Cook for 20 minutes, then cool. Drink 20 ml before meals. Take the product for 2 days.
- Mint and lemon balm. These plants do not help eliminate pain, but have a calming effect on the nervous system. To get an infusion, you need to take 25 g of raw material, add a glass of boiling water and leave for 1 hour. Strain and drink 25 ml. This should be done 20 minutes before meals.
- Rose hip. Grind the rhizome of the plant, take 1 large spoon of the raw material and add a glass of boiling water. Cook for 15 minutes over low heat. Take 3 glasses every day. This needs to be done for 2 weeks.
- Walnut. Take 30 unripe fruits and chop. Then add 1 liter of vodka and leave for 2
weeks in the sun. Drink 20 g for 4 weeks. This is done three times a day. - Fir oil. It must be rubbed into the left side of the chest. This should be done for 4-6 minutes.
Thus, the question of whether the heart can pound should be answered in the affirmative. To cope with discomfort, you need to consult a doctor in a timely manner. The specialist will make an accurate diagnosis and select adequate therapy.
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Still have questions? Ask them in the comments! Cardiologist Mariam Harutyunyan will answer them.
Ivan Grekhov
Graduated from the Ural State Medical University with a degree in General Medicine. General practitioner
