Chest Pain

• Possible Causes of Chest Pain

  • Ischaemic heart disease
  • Pneumothorax
  • Pulmonary embolus
  • Fractured rib
  • Musculoskeletal problem
  • Lung cancer
  • Pleuritic pain
  • Gastro-oesophageal reflux
  • Tracheitis
• How do you diagnose the cause of the chest pain?

  • Thorough questioning
  • Type of pain (crushing ache, stabbing pain etc)
  • Location
  • Aggravating factors (e.g. exercise, taking a deep breath, coughing etc)
  • Easing factors (e.g. rest, GTN spray etc)
  • Pain score