Chest pain, also called angina, is a symptom that may indicate an underlying heart problem, but it can also result from non-cardiac causes such as gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, or lung-related conditions. Accurate evaluation is critical to determine the source of your symptoms and ensure timely treatment.
At Heart & Vascular Specialists DFW, our board-certified cardiologists provide comprehensive chest pain evaluation to help identify cardiac causes and guide appropriate care.
Chest pain can present in many ways and may include:
Pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the chest
Pain radiating to the neck, jaw, shoulder, or arm
Shortness of breath
Nausea, lightheadedness, or sweating
Fatigue or unusual weakness
The severity and pattern of symptoms may help distinguish cardiac from non-cardiac causes, but testing is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
While chest pain may indicate angina or coronary artery disease, other possible causes include:
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
Musculoskeletal or rib-related pain
Pulmonary conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism
Anxiety or panic disorders
Proper evaluation helps distinguish between cardiac and non-cardiac causes.
Our approach focuses on quick, accurate assessment to rule out or confirm cardiac issues:
A detailed history of your symptoms, risk factors, and family history helps guide testing.
Records the heart’s electrical activity to detect rhythm abnormalities or signs of a heart attack.
Treadmill stress tests, stress echocardiograms, or nuclear stress tests evaluate how your heart functions during exercise.
Ultrasound imaging assesses heart structure, valve function, and pumping ability.
Advanced imaging to visualize the coronary arteries for blockages or narrowing.
Minimally invasive catheter-based evaluation for patients with high-risk findings or confirmed CAD.
Chest pain can be a warning sign of a heart attack or other serious cardiac condition. Prompt assessment ensures that:
Dangerous conditions are treated immediately
Unnecessary tests or hospital visits are minimized
A personalized care plan is developed for ongoing heart health
