Characteristics of Chest Pain Associated with Other Symptoms Experienced by Coronary Artery Disease Patients

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) take the lives of 17.7 million people every year, 31 percent of all global deaths. There is considerable overlap in chest pain of cardiac as well as non-cardiac origin. However, vigilant evaluation of characteristics of chest pain in history taking may help overcome this dilemma. This study was sought to identify characteristics of chest pain associated with other symptoms which are due to cardiac reason and to fi nd out association between characteristics of chest pain and other symptoms with the selected demographic variables. The study was conducted among 60 patients of coronary artery disease (CAD). Characteristics of chest pain associated with other symptoms were assessed by structured questionnaires administered through interview schedule. In this study, 40 percent samples had pain on retrosternal side and 20 percent on left side of chest, while 31.67 percent samples had pain location other than retrosternal and left side of chest; 46.67 percent samples had characterized their pain as heaviness, 30 percent as chocking, 20 percent felt burning pain; 42 percent had pain duration of 1-30 minutes, 77 percent samples had pain severity >7 on 0-10 scale, 41.67 percent samples had pain radiation to left arm, 20 percent on right arm, 25 percent to neck, 20 percent having no radiation of pain. 73.33 percent samples had diaphoresis as associated symptoms, 58.33 percent had dyspnea, 53.33 percent had nausea & vomiting, 60 percent had weakness/fatigue. To conclude, chest pain of cardiac origin can occur anywhere in chest and abdomen, which is usually severe in nature and characterised by chocking and heaviness usually associated with nausea, dyspnea, diaphoresis and weakness. So, patient should be carefully evaluated to prevent mis-diagnosis.