Chest pain that is new, severe, lasts more than a few minutes, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back needs a 911 call right away. Chest discomfort that comes on with activity and fades with rest is not an everyday ache either. It deserves a prompt visit with a cardiologist.
Call 911 for these
- Pressure, squeezing or fullness in the chest that lasts or comes and goes
- Pain that spreads to one or both arms, the jaw, neck, back or stomach
- Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort
- Cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
- Fainting
Do not drive yourself. Do not wait to see if it passes. Paramedics can start treatment on the way, and minutes matter with heart trouble.
Chest discomfort that needs a visit
Some chest symptoms are not an emergency in the moment but still point to the heart. A common pattern is discomfort that shows up when you climb stairs, carry groceries or walk uphill, then fades when you rest. This can be a sign of narrowed heart arteries, called coronary artery disease.
Other chest symptoms can come from muscles, lungs, acid reflux or anxiety. You should not have to guess. A cardiologist can sort out whether your heart is involved.
How a cardiologist checks chest pain
Your visit starts with questions about what the pain feels like, when it happens and what helps. Your provider will examine you and may do an EKG. Next steps often include:
- A stress test, which shows how your heart handles exercise. FCCI's nuclear lab performs over 3,000 stress tests a year.
- An echocardiogram, an ultrasound of the heart that shows pumping and valves
- A cardiac PET scan or CCTA in some cases, which show blood flow or the arteries themselves
- A heart catheterization if needed, where a doctor views the arteries from the inside
Treatment options
Many people with chest pain from heart disease are treated with medicine and lifestyle changes. Some need a procedure to open a blocked artery. Dr. Youssef Al-Saghir, who leads FCCI's Clay County operations, is an interventional cardiologist whose FCCI profile notes he helps patients manage chest pain and structural heart disease. In his view, interventional cardiology starts with prevention and includes medicine as well as procedures.
Your provider will explain your options in plain words and help you choose what fits.
What to bring to your visit
- Your insurance card and photo ID
- A list of every medicine you take, including vitamins and supplements
- A record of each chest pain episode: the time, what you were doing, and what made it ease
- Recent test results from other doctors, if you have them
- A family member or friend, if you like, to help take notes
Heart care close to home in Clay County
For chest pain that is not an emergency but still worries you, FCCI's Orange Park office at 1465 Kingsley Ave offers same day appointments and testing for urgent matters. The Clay County team is led by Dr. Youssef Al-Saghir, who also chairs cardiology at HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital. Patients come from Fleming Island, Middleburg and Green Cove Springs, and FCCI accepts most major insurance, including Medicare and Tricare.
A neighborly word from the Clay County team
Chest pain is confusing, and nobody expects you to sort it out alone. Tell your care team exactly what you felt and when, and they will help you figure out what it means. If anything here left you unsure, jot it down and ask at your visit, or call the office.
Ready to talk with a heart doctor close to home? If you have had chest discomfort that comes and goes, do not sit on it. Call the FCCI Orange Park office at 904.644.0092, Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or use the appointment request form (contact details only, please). We are at 1465 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park, FL 32073.
