Chest Pain Flashcards
What are some examples of chest pain causes stemming from the cardiovascular disease?
Cardiovascular system
1. Ischaemic heart disease
2. Pericarditis
3. Aortic dissection
4. Myocarditis
What are some examples of chest pain causes stemming from the respiratory system?
Respiratory
1. Pneumothorax
2. Pneumonia
3. Pulmonary embolus
4. Pleurisy
What are some examples of chest pain causes stemming from the muscloskeletal system?
Musculoskeletal system
1. Muscle strain
2. Rib fracture
3. Costochondritis
4. Myositis
What are some examples of chest pain causes stemming from the gastrointestinal system?
Gastrointestinal system
- Oesophageal reflux
- Peptic ulcer
- Pancreatitis
- Gallstones
What are some examples of chest pain causes stemming from the nervous system?
Nervous system
1. Neuropathic pain
2. Shingles
3. Anxiety
When it comes to chest pain originating from a problem in the respiratory system, what signs should you look out for?
When it comes to chest pain originating from a problem in the gastrointesinal tract, what signs should you look out for?
When it comes to chest pain originating from a problem in the musculoskeletal system, what signs should you look out for?
When it comes to chest pain originating from a problem in the nervous system, what signs should you look out for?
Shingles – virus lives in the nerve endings of the spine – present in a dermatomal distribution
Chest pain can arise prior to skin rash appearing
What is the underlying pathology seen in ischaemic heart disease?
Narrowing of the blood vessels due to a build-up of fatty substance in arteries– happens over years and years
What are the different presentations of ischaemic heart disease?
- Stable Angina
- Unstable Angina
- Acute MI
What is angina? How does it present? How is the associated chest pain releived?
Angina - mis-match between oxygen supply and delivery in the heart
Chest tightness/pain/discomfort that occurs on excursion
Often worse in cold weather/walking into the wind
Location: central chest/radiate to throat/arm/back
Relieved by….
1. Resting
2. Sublingual glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) spray (can also be used as a diagnostic tool)
What investigations should be performed on someone that is suspected to have angina?
- Blood Tests
- 12 Lead ECG
- CT coronary angiography
- Alternatives
Image of CT-coronary angiography - stenosis/angina.
How are angina patients managed/treated?
Intensive lifestyle intervention
- Stop smoking, weight loss, exercise, diet- Mediteranean
Drug therapy
1. Sub-lingual GTN spray for symptomatic relief during an anginal episode
2. Aspirin (antiplatelet)
3. Beta-blockers (slows the heart rate, reduced myocardial O2 demands)
4. Calcium channel antagonists (coronary vasodilator)
5. Atorvastatin (reduces cholesterol)
6. Treat blood pressure-ACE inhibitor/Angiotensin receptor blocker - vasodilation and reduce fluid retnetion