important causes of chest pain
Last reviewed 01/2018
In these conditions, speed is as important as thoroughness.
The serious (potentially fatal) causes include:
- myocardial infarction (non-ST elevation myocardial infarction, ST elevation myocardial infarction)
- aortic dissection:
- severe pain sudden onset
- asymmetric pulses or aortic regurgitation
- widened mediastinum on chest radiology
- pulmonary embolism:
- pleuritic chest pain
- at risk of DVT
- hypoxia despite clear lungs on chest radiology
- oesophageal rupture:
- pain following vomiting
- chest radiograph shows left pleural effusion with gas in the mediastinum