Why does my heart ache?
Probably, everyone experienced pain in the region of the heart. It can be different: aching, harsh. There are many reasons that can provoke pain in the heart: stress, tension, various diseases.
Sometimes it happens that a person does not really feel pain at all. Sometimes the sensations can be caused by various pathologies - intercostal neuralgia, diseases of the spine, psychogenic diseases and the like. Sometimes the pain with gastritis is also confused with pain in the heart. But do not neglect the visit to the doctor if you feel heartache. Only he can establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe the necessary treatment.
Diseases of the cardiovascular system
The intensity and duration of pain in the heart can be different: from very weak to unbearably strong. But the intensity of pain does not always correspond to the severity of the patient's condition. For example, with ischemic heart disease a person feels strong pressure in the chest area, with the pain gradually spreading to the left arm. This phenomenon can be observed after eating, stress, mental or nervous experiences.
Similar feelings occur with acute myocardial infarction. But in this case, a person experiences much stronger pressure and pain that lasts a long time. This condition is very dangerous for the health and even life of the patient, therefore it is necessary to call an ambulance as soon as possible.
Another disease that often causes pain in the heart is pericarditis. Pain sensations can be localized on the left arm and in the heart, but their intensity varies depending on the depth of breathing and the position of the body.
Types of pain
To make it easier for a doctor to diagnose a disease, it is necessary to characterize pain as accurately as possible.
1. Stitching pains in the heart
If the pain resembles a needle that is stuck in the heart, the doctor can assume that the patient has a neurosis of the heart. Neurosis of the heart is a kind of vegetative-vascular dystonia. Also, this disease can occur as a result of a violation of nervous activity or nervous tone of the heart muscle.
Doctors in this case recommend drinking a course of sedatives. Such a disease indicates that the nervous system is not in order. Sometimes excessive physical stresses lead to this outcome. Therefore, in addition to a cardiologist, it is recommended to visit a neurologist.
2. Aching in the heart
If the pain in the heart is aching and does not last for a long time, the doctor can assume that the patient has myocarditis - an inflammatory process in the heart muscle. In addition to aching pain, the patient may experience weakness, sometimes an increased body temperature. This phenomenon may be the result of an infectious disease( sore throats, flu, etc.).
3. Pressing pain in the heart
If there is pain in the heart of a pressing nature, then most likely the patient has angina. If the disease is diagnosed, it is very easy to get rid of a bout of pain - just take a tablet of nitroglycerin. If the pain after a couple of minutes does not pass, you need to drink another pill. If the medicine does not help, then you need to urgently call a doctor, since angina may go into a myocardial infarction.
Regardless of what triggered the pain in the heart, the patient should immediately call the doctor. Self-medication can result in a fatal outcome, so do not take risks.
How to relieve an attack of pain in the heart
Self-relieving pain in the heart can only be when you know exactly your diagnosis. Unfortunately, the pain very often appears at the most inopportune moment, therefore the person tries to drink the first cardio-medicine, that will get under a hand that it is impossible to do.
If the pain is caused by angina, then you can remove the attack with a nitroglycerin pill, as discussed above. It is also necessary to ease pressure on the body: remove belts, collars, ties and ensure the flow of fresh air. The attack should pass in a few minutes.
In case of myocardial infarction, in no case should one engage in self-medication. Immediately call an ambulance and call a team of doctors. Before the arrival of doctors, you can try to ease the pain with a tablet of Validol or nitroglycerin. It is also necessary for a person to seat and place his feet in hot water, if possible.
If, simultaneously with painful sensations, there is an increase in blood pressure, then it should be reduced as soon as possible. If a person constantly suffers from pressure, it is necessary that he takes the medicines prescribed by the doctor. If the attack happened for the first time, then it's better not to do anything, so as not to worsen the situation.
If you have a pain in the heart of arose for the first time, and you do not know what to do before the arrival of a doctor, then the best way out of this situation is to relax and not be nervous, since negative emotions will only worsen your condition. If you have validol, corvalol or valocardin, then take the medicine according to the instructions.
If there are no such medicines, then one tablet of acetylsalicylic acid and one tablet of analgin should be taken with a large amount of cool purified water - a minimum of half a glass. It is best after you take the medicine, lie down and relax for 15 minutes. If the pain does not go away, you need to call an ambulance immediately. Only doctors can correctly diagnose and provide emergency medical care.
I would like to say separately about nitroglycerin. Unfortunately, this medicine can not be taken with any kind of heartache. Although so many people do. Nitroglycerin can be used only with a very narrow range of heart diseases. This medicine is very serious and has many contraindications. It can cause disturbances in the functioning of the nervous system. Therefore, it is not necessary to take nitroglycerin without the appointment of a doctor. Especially it can not be confused with other pharmacological drugs.
