Shortness of Breath & Chest Pain
Shortness of breath, also known as dyspnea, is a condition where an individual has the sensation of difficulty breathing, tightening in the chest or of suffocating. Shortness of breath accompanied by chest pain can be caused by several factors.
Angina
Angina, also known as chest pain, occurs when there is decreased blood flow to the heart. Some symptoms of this condition include shortness of breath and chest pain or discomfort.
Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when blood vessels that supply oxygen rich blood to the heart become blocked. This may be due to atherosclerosis and may be evidenced by chest pain and shortness of breath.
Pulmonary Embolism
Blood clots can develop in the legs and travel to other parts of the body. They can travel to the lungs and block blood vessels that deliver oxygenated blood to the lungs. This occurrence is known as a pulmonary embolism and has shortness of breath and chest pain as it's symptoms.
Heart Failure
Heart failure is a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood to meet the body's needs. It may lead to shortness of breath as the body is not receiving enough oxygenated blood. If heart failure is caused by a heart attack, then chest pain may also occur.
Significance
Shortness of breath that is accompanied by chest pain can be a sign of serious underlying medical problems. Therefore, it is important for individuals who experience these symptoms to seek quick medical help.
Tags: chest pain, shortness breath, accompanied chest, accompanied chest pain, also known, blood heart, blood vessels
