Acute chest pain makes a person put off all things. The first thing that comes up is whether the heart can be pricked, or whether pain is associated with other organs. It is impossible to ignore pain, it can be the cause of cardiovascular diseases, indicate a critical condition of a person or appear due to non-dangerous diseases.
How to understand that stabs heart
With acute chest pain, a person gives in to panic, begins to worry that something irreparable has happened. To understand whether the heart is piercing or the pain is giving into the chest for another reason, it is necessary to pay attention to the degree of discomfort and the nature of the pain:
- circumstances under which the pain appeared - with heart pain, the degree of discomfort will not change with a change in body position;
- temporary changes - if the heart hurts, then the pain quickly increases, and then it can stop abruptly;
- prolonged discomfort of the same strength for several hours or days may be a reaction to the use of medications;
- if the pain has eased after the use of nitroglycerin, then, most likely, the reason lies in the heart;
- if the pain intensifies with pressure on the ribs, then the cause is intercostal neuralgia.
To find out how critical the situation is, you should evaluate the degree of pain:
- if a person describes in detail the nature of the pain, determines the place of occurrence, then this is not a heart attack;
- with acute pain throughout the chest, heart problems can be suspected, in which urgent medical attention is required.
Additionally, you should pay attention to the following symptoms. They may indicate a heart attack:
- increased heart rate;
- sharply stabs in the heart;
- dizziness;
- pallor of the skin;
- dyspnea;
- excessive sweating;
- fainting state;
- heart rhythm disturbance.
Causes Not Associated With Cardiovascular Disease
Stitching pains under the heart are associated with cardiovascular diseases, but the reason may lie in other diseases:
- Intercostal neuralgia - inflammation of the intercostal nerve due to pinching or infection. There can be many reasons for the appearance of the disease - from an uncomfortable posture at the desk to a viral infection. If it stabs in the heart for this reason, then there is an additional burning sensation in the chest, tingling, twitching of muscles. The pain intensifies with a change in body position, with coughing and sneezing. A sharp movement provokes another strong attack. The pain becomes stronger when probing the ribs, sometimes you can determine where the most painful.
- Myositis is an inflammation that affects the muscles. Most often occurs with prolonged exposure to drafts from temperature extremes. The pain intensifies in the cold, redness of the skin or swelling is possible. With pressure on the chest, the pain also intensifies.
- Neurosis is a neurological disease that causes muscle spasm. It develops gradually, but the person does not always notice the first signs. A lump in the throat appears, it becomes difficult to speak and swallow, possibly twitching of the muscles of the face. In some cases, there may be no signs, and the disease gives itself away only by chest pain.
- Lung disease - inflammation in which pricks, where the heart is. It can be tuberculosis, bronchitis, pneumonia. The main difference from heart disease is a cough, possibly an increase in body temperature.
- Osteochondrosis does not apply to heart disease. Patients with this diagnosis are interested in whether a heart can be pricked with osteochondrosis. Indeed, some of the symptoms are similar. When osteochondrosis is often dizziness, numbness of the hands, muscle weakness, increased blood pressure.
These are the main diseases that are not related to the cardiovascular system, why a heart can be pricked. If they are excluded, then perhaps the pain is associated with heart disease.
Causes of Cardiovascular Disease
Note. Cardiological diseases manifest themselves as pressing or constricting pain. But in some situations, the pain appears in the form of lumbago. Major heart diseases:
- heart attack;
- angina pectoris;
- pericarditis;
- cardiopsychoneurosis;
- hypertrophic cardiomyopathy;
- coronary spasm.
During a heart attack, arterial thrombosis occurs, the work of the heart muscle is disrupted. There is stitching pain in the chest, which gives to the left hand, jaw. There is increased sweating, the person becomes pale. Nausea and heartburn are frequent companions of this condition. Possible loss of consciousness. With a heart attack, nitroglycerin does not help.
Angina pectoris occurs as a result of vasospasm. A heart pierces in the chest, pain gives in the left side of the body. Angina pectoris may be a precursor to a heart attack. blood flow is disturbed, a person feels tired. If you take nitroglycerin, then the pain will decrease.
With neurocircular dystonia, irritation, fatigue appears, the pulse rate changes, the pressure remains normal or slightly increases. This may cause chest pain and pallor of the skin.
Pericarditis is caused by infectious diseases. The outer membranes of the heart become inflamed. With timely help, the disease has a favorable prognosis. During the disease, the pulse rises, fatigue occurs, and the temperature rises. Sometimes the pain is accompanied by a dry cough.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is not always accompanied by clear symptoms. Chest pain may be absent, pulse increases and shortness of breath occurs. Coronary spasm is manifested by pain in the heart in the morning, at rest.
In some cases, pain may occur with medication. For example, can a heart be pierced after taking Picamilon? The drug is used to improve blood circulation and as a fight against hypertension. The drug itself, as a rule, does not cause chest pain, but can increase the pulse.
Stitches during pregnancy
During pregnancy, the load on all the organs of a woman increases. Including the heart muscle. Can a heart be pierced during pregnancy, and what should I do in this case?
The amount of blood in a woman at 4-5 months of pregnancy increases, the heart rate becomes more frequent, which leads to discomfort in the chest. Intermittent moderate pain may be a normal option. A pregnant woman must undergo an electrocardiogram, so the doctor immediately sees the primary violations.
The reasons why the load on the heart increases and stitching pains can occur:
- body fat stored by the body;
- an enlarged uterus moves up the diaphragm, and with it the heart;
- the heart muscle becomes larger;
- heavy load on the cardiovascular system.
During pregnancy, the reason why pricking in the area of the heart may be hiding in an increase in ambient temperature. And also during stress and during physical exertion.
Regardless of whether a heart can be pricked during pregnancy often or not, a woman requires additional medical supervision to exclude the development of serious diseases.
Attacks of heart pain, accompanied by changes in blood pressure and edema, may be the first signs of gestosis. Oxygen starvation is dangerous for the mother and the fetus, so if such symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor. Anemia during pregnancy causes heart pain.
When pain occurs, a woman needs to receive an influx of fresh air, leave a stuffy room or open a window. If possible, lie down with your head slightly raised. Wipe with a damp towel and drink water.
When smoking
If a smoker develops chest pains, the question arises as to whether a heart can be pierced from smoking. Nicotine has a negative effect on the heart muscle. Many have vasospasm and blood pressure rises. The smoker appears heaviness and burning in the heart.
While smoking a cigarette, an oxygen deficiency occurs in the body. Blood does not receive enough oxygen, a signal comes from the brain. The pulse rate increases to give an oxygen flow, a large load on the heart occurs.
An excess of carbon monoxide appears in muscle cells that occurs after smoking. The additional burden on the cardiovascular system negatively affects the general condition. If pain occurs, a physician should be visited to rule out and prevent the development of serious diseases.
Oxygen deficiency in the heart muscle provokes the development of a heart attack, atherosclerosis. Absorbing a large amount of harmful substances, the smoker poisons himself with poison. Carbon monoxide in the blood combines with hemoglobin and is transmitted to the heart, which causes nausea and dizziness. Constant smoking leads to narrowing and spasm of blood vessels, promotes the formation of fatty plaques.
If there is a pain in the heart of the smoker, and the tests and examination results are normal, then the pain is the first alarm signal that smoking will soon lead to the development of serious diseases.
What is dangerous heart pain
Pain in the heart requires a mandatory diagnosis. And finding out the reasons. Can heart stabbing be safe? In children, pain occurs during a period of active growth. But it is necessary to be examined. To exclude dangerous diseases that can be cured at the first sign.
What is dangerous heart pain:
- Pain caused by the herpes virus can lead to a general weakening of the body. Herpes can be defeated with medications.
- Intercostal neuralgia without appropriate treatment leads to impaired blood supply and insomnia.
- Myositis causes difficulty in movement. A person cannot fully move around, pick up objects, or drive. Restriction of movement forces a person to go on sick leave.
- Prolonged neurosis shakes the nervous system, changes the character of a person. A constant nervous state and heart pain can cause an exacerbation of chronic diseases or provoke new somatic diseases.
- Pain in the heart caused by lung diseases, worsen breathing, cause cough, fever. If left untreated, pneumonia and tuberculosis can be fatal.
- Osteochondrosis requires treatment. If everything is left to chance, then loss of mobility and disability are possible. One of the signs of the disease is stitching pain in the heart.
- Neurocircular dystonia in a neglected state interferes not only with constant pain in the heart. Thermoregulation is disturbed, dizziness, fainting, convulsions appear.
- Chest pain during a heart attack will lead to death if the patient is not urgently given medical attention.
- Angina pectoris is a precursor to heart attack. If there is pain in the heart, you should see a doctor.
- Decreased cerebral blood flow, oxygen deficiency lead to arrhythmia, disruption of the ventricles of the heart and provoke coronary artery disease.
- Coronary spasm increases the risk of heart attack due to narrowing of the lumens. Without treatment, the disease can lead to spasm and death.
Diagnostics
If a question arises whether a heart can be pricked for no reason, a diagnosis should be made. First, visit a therapist who will listen to complaints from patients and make him a preliminary diagnosis. Based on the patient’s condition and clinical picture, the doctor can direct him to undergo the following studies:
- Magnetic resonance imaging shows the degree of damage to nerve fibers. According to the results, various changes in the state of the intervertebral discs can be determined. When they shift, stitching pains occur in the chest.
- An electrocardiogram shows the work of the heart muscle. If violations are detected during the initial examination, a daily ECG is prescribed in the hospital. The examination allows you to make an accurate diagnosis and select the desired treatment method.
- Ultrasound of the heart muscle shows the state of the organ. Thus, inflammation of the walls, violation of the structure of blood vessels, thickening and compaction can be detected.
- A neurologist consultation is required after the exclusion of the main pathologies in the work of the heart. Inspection of a specialized doctor allows you to identify pinching, to find out the cause of the disease, to get a referral to the test.
- If neurosis is suspected, a visit to a psychiatrist will be required.
Find out why pricking in the region of the heart is necessary for making an accurate diagnosis. The further well-being of the patient will depend on the quality of treatment. In case of severe pain, you should immediately consult a doctor and, if possible, provide first aid.
What to do
Acute chest pain requires observation. There can be any reason. Even with doubts whether a heart can be pricked with osteochondrosis or another non-cardiological disease, one should observe a person for a long period of time. If the pain builds up when you inhale and intensifies each time, then first aid should be given.
It is necessary to determine why the heart tingles. If a person cannot determine where and how his heart is piercing, then assistance should be provided immediately:
- stop physical activity;
- reassure;
- provide peace;
- put or plant, unfasten the upper buttons on the chest;
- loosen the belt on the belt;
- give a tablet of nitroglycerin;
- give 300 g of aspirin;
- if the pain has not subsided within 5 minutes, then increase the dose of nitroglycerin;
- call an ambulance.
Pain that lasts more than 5 minutes indicates a heart attack. Prior to the arrival of an ambulance, an influx of fresh air should be ensured and the person should be freed from pressing objects. Take off excess clothing. If possible, then it is necessary to measure blood pressure. With reduced systolic pressure, no longer give nitroglycerin, because it helps lower blood pressure. The patient must chew the aspirin himself, this will significantly accelerate the absorption process.
With loss of consciousness, it is necessary to quickly return a person to consciousness. If breathing has stopped, an indirect heart massage is urgently needed. You cannot leave one person. Artificial respiration will help to keep the patient until the ambulance arrives, which will hospitalize him in intensive care or cardiology department, depending on the severity of the patient.
Drug treatment
Medication should be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can make the situation worse. Emergency medication is possible in a critical situation when it comes to the life of the patient.
Can a heart be stabbed due to cardiac problems, and what can be done to calm him down? "Validol" is sold in a pharmacy without a prescription and is indicated for mild chest pain. It has a calming effect on the nervous system, the condition stabilizes within 5-15 minutes. The tablet is placed under the tongue and absorbed. A special effect is achieved during a stressful situation or with discomfort in the chest area.
Corvalol is sold in the form of alcohol tinctures or tablets. Soothes a person, dilates blood vessels. A few drops are dissolved in water and drunk. Tincture acts faster than tablets, but negatively affects the liver.
"Valocordin" dilates blood vessels. The number of drops taken should be appropriate for the age of the patient.
"Nitroglycerin" quickly affects the body, calms the nervous system and relieves cramps. Take it if you suspect a heart attack. The drug is used in a critical situation as directed by a doctor. The tablet is placed under the tongue and absorbed.
"Cardiomagnyl" is prescribed as a preventive measure in case of impaired heart function. It reduces pain intensity and is used as a first aid. If necessary, combine with aspirin.
With pronounced pain, analgesics of "Ketanov" or "Sedalgin" are used. It is important to call an ambulance to determine the condition of the patient.
Folk remedies
In addition to traditional medicine, folk remedies can be used. Their reception should take place in agreement with the attending physician. First, you should clarify the compatibility with medicines.
During treatment, coffee, strong tea and alcohol should be discarded. The following recipes bring effect:
- Daily intake of garlic will prevent heart pain and strengthen the heart muscle. This method is prohibited in diseases of the pancreas and digestive organs.
- Tincture of hawthorn has a calming effect on the nervous system. A teaspoon of hawthorn and lemon balm fruits is poured with a glass of boiling water, brought to a boil and left in a steam bath for 20 minutes. The infusion is taken 20 minutes before meals for 2 days.
- Mint and lemon balm relieve pain and have a calming effect on the central nervous system. It can be added to tea or drunk separately. A tablespoon of raw materials is poured with boiling water and infused under a "fur coat" for an hour. 20 .
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