Causes of Chest Pain

Question 1

Cardiac-sounding pain

• heavy, central chest pain they may radiate to the neck and left arm
• nausea, sweating
• elderly patients and diabetics may experience no pain

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease

Answer 1

Myocardial Infarction

Question 2

History of asthma, Marfan’s etc
Sudden dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain

Answer 2

Pneumothorax

Question 3

Sudden dyspnoea and pleuritic chest pain
Calf pain/swelling
Current combined pill user, malignancy

Answer 3

Pulmonary Embolism

Question 4

Sharp pain relieved by sitting forwards
May be pleuritic in nature

Answer 4

Pericarditis

Question 5

‘Tearing’ chest pain radiating through to the back
Unequal upper limb blood pressure

Answer 5

Dissecting Aortic Aneurysm

Question 6

Burning retrosternal pain
Other possible symptoms include regurgitation and dysphagia

Answer 6

GORD

Question 7

One of the most common diagnoses made in the Emergency Department. The pain is often worse on movement or palpation.

May be precipitated by trauma or coughing

Answer 7

MSK Chest pain

Question 8

Pain often precedes the rash

Answer 8

Pre-eruptive Shingles