When Should I Visit An Emergency Room for Chest Pain?
If you’re experiencing symptoms or discomfort, fast chest pain treatment from board-certified physicians is available at The Emergency Center. Our fully equipped, free-standing emergency room in San Antonio features the same capabilities as a traditional hospital ER, minus the hectic atmosphere and often lengthy wait times.
Is It a Heart Attack or Cardiac Arrest?
Common Symptoms of Heart Attacks
A good rule of thumb is to seek immediate medical attention if you feel any new or unexplained chest pain. With this said, it is particularly important to consult with a physician if you are experiencing common indications of a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or other heart-related conditions. Symptoms of a heart attack can include:
Chest pain
Along with chest discomfort, you may feel a sharp or sudden chest pain. This pain may last for a few minutes, or come and go.
Searing or “heavy” pain
This pain can originate in or travel to your back, jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm. Often, the first sign of a heart attack is neck or shoulder pain.
Tightness, pressure, or a sensation of fullness
The discomfort can feel similar to a tight ache or even a squeezing in the chest. It typically lasts longer than a few minutes, and may come or go.
Chest discomfort that persists
The discomfort is usually felt on the center or left side of the chest, lasting longer than a few minutes. It may also go away and come back.
Shortness of breath
Often a sign of a silent heart attack, shortness of breath can lead to feeling dizziness or fainting. It is more common for women.
Dizziness, weakness, nausea, or cold sweats
Women experiencing a heart attack often feel vague symptoms such as weakness, nausea, cold sweats, or dizziness, without the chest pain.
FAQs About Chest Pain & Heart Attacks
Are All Heart Attacks Accompanied By Sudden Chest Pain?
No. Most heart attacks only involve mild pain or discomfort, and women commonly feel no pain at all. You may feel a small pressure or squeezing, and it may come and go. The other symptoms include nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Typically, people feel only a few of the symptoms, not all at once.
Can Chest Pain Be Caused By Stress & Anxiety?
Yes, absolutely. Anxiety and stress cause your brain to send a surge of adrenaline and cortisol through your body, triggering a rapid rise in your body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Ultimately this can cause chest pain, sweating, and difficulty breathing. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so visit a medical professional if you are unsure.
What Should I Do If A Family Member Is Having A Heart Attack?
Always call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Do not ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. It is always better to be safe than sorry, so if you are uncertain, get help right away. If you are unable to get an ambulance to your location, drive your family member to the nearest hospital immediately.
What Is Angina & How Is It Different From Chest Pain?
Angina is a type of chest pain caused by a reduction of blood flow to the heart. It is a symptom of heart disease and feels like squeezing, heavy pressure, or tightness. If the pain stops after a few minutes of resting or is triggered by physical exertion, it could simply be angina rather than a heart attack.
We Diagnose & Treat Chest Pain Symptoms
Why Visit Our Free-Standing ER For Chest Pain & Heart Attack Emergency Care
While not all chest pain symptoms are indicative of a heart attack, cardiac arrest, or other heart-related emergency condition, there is often no way to know without visiting a physician. As a patient at The Emergency Center you will receive prompt chest pain treatment from a team of board-certified physicians and ICU- and ER-trained nurses. Our facility is equipped with advanced diagnostic technologies that streamline care, including a high-resolution, 64-slice CT scanner and cardiac evaluation and monitoring that is used to quickly evaluate coronary arteries and could help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions due to heart attack and determine your risk for coronary events now and in the near future.
Board-Certified Physicians
The Emergency Center is a team of board-certified, licensed physicians with extensive experience.
ICU & ER Trained Nurses
Our nurses are highly trained in a variety of settings including ICU and ER.
Cardiac Evaluation & Monitoring
Our team has the ability to offer full cardiac workups to ensure your heart is in good health.
In the event of a heart attack or cardiac emergency that requires surgery, The Emergency Center will stabilize your condition and coordinate expedited transport to the nearest hospital operating room.