The evaluation of chest pain
Chest pain is a common symptom with a wide range of possible causes, from mild conditions such as muscle strain to serious, life-threatening problems affecting the heart or lungs. Key causes include cardiac conditions (such as heart attack, angina, or pericarditis), pulmonary issues (including pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, or a collapsed lung), gastrointestinal problems like acid reflux, and musculoskeletal conditions such as costochondritis. Anxiety and panic attacks can also produce chest discomfort. Because of this variety, careful evaluation is essential to determine the underlying cause and ensure appropriate treatment. In this article, a consultant cardiologist goes over the criteria used to evaluate chest pain.



















