DR SUDIP CHAKRABORTY, M.D (Medicine)
Chest pain is one such symptom, which brings extremes of emotions; outright denial or becoming hypochondriac and gets consumed by it. There are so many causes of it but definitely heart attack (myocardial infarction) tops the list by its seriousness. Yes, chest pain is a emergency but there are so many misconception about it among common man that deserves to be cleared. I would like to make an attempt to do so;
1) A normal ECG does not rule out heart attack. I wish this statement gets ingrained in everybody including doctors. Only serial ECG atleast over 24 hrs duration must be done under medical supervision.
2) Just because antacids or belching out gas relieves the pain, doesnot mean that it is due to indigestion. Many lives are lost by attributing gas for chest pain. Cautious over diagnosis is acceptable rather than under diagnosing and missing out a impending heart attack.
3) Typical chest pain seen in bollyhood movies are exception rather than rule. I have had patients with slight chest discomfort but more pain in back or in hand, turning out to be MI(myocardial infarction).
4) Diabetic patients are more prone to have atypical presentations. So threshold for suspicion should be low in diabetics. All is not well in them just because blood sugar is normal or under control. Diabetes is a cardio vascular disease. So lipids, kidneys, heart, eye, nerves has to be
Periodically tested to prevent complications.
5) If u have a family history of heart attack, one should be very cautious and chest pain needs to diagnosed properly by its roots. It is a strong predictor of chances of having MI.
6) Risk factors like smoking, diabetes, sedentary life style, fat over waist, stress needs to be considered for triaging chest pain.
7) Young age does not mean that chest pain is harmless. Indians are prone to have heart attack a decade earlier than westerners. My youngest patient of MI is 32 years of age.
8) Eating fish especially fresh water fish, green salad, using olive oil\sunflower oil or saff flower when mixed with soyabean\mustard oil at 60:40 ratio with per person not more than one litre per month, helps in reducing MI.
9) Nothing beats the benefits that one gains from regular brisk walking of 30 minute duration of 5 days per week.
10) Information is dime a dozen these days. The point is whether the source is authentic. So before googling chest pain and getting drown in the avalanche of information that leaves u either confused or very apprehensive, consult your doctor. Nothing can match a attentively
Listened history along with a healing touch.
