Chest pain and angina

Telephone Consultation Cardiologist COVID-19

Private secretary: +44 (0) 7812243176

Appointments, Little Aston Hospital: 0121 580 7151

Appointments, Priory Hospital: 0121 440 2323

COVID-19 ALERT

At present, there are no restrictions to outpatient appointments at Spire Little Aston Hospital, Sutton Coldfield. In line with hospital policy, patients can access face-to-face appointments, as long as they answer the hospital's COVID-19 screening questionnaire, wear a mask and have their temperature taken on arrival. Unless essential, patients should not be accompanied. Telephone and video appointments (via 'zoom') can be arranged if there is a medical reason preventing a face-to-face appointment.

Please note that a clinical opinion can be provided on the basis of a remote consultation, but a physical examination and/or additional investigations may be required.

Typical cardiac chest pain

Chest pain

Chest pain of cardiac origin, or angina, is usually a heavy, constricting pain, felt in the centre of the chest. It can extend, or 'radiate', to the arms (more frequently the left), neck and jaw. Less frequently, it can be felt in the lower chest, stomach or back. It is typically precipitated by physical exertion and relieved by rest. Chest pain can also be due to problems with the muscles and bones in the chest, or to lung and stomach conditions. The safest approach is to assume that any chest pain is cardiac in origin unless proven otherwise.

If chest pain occurs at rest, you should consider a heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI). Typically, the pain of a heart attack is severe and it may be associated with sweating, clamminess, vomiting, a racing heart and lightheadedness . You should seek emergency help. Remember every minute counts.

If chest pain only occurs on exertion, you should consider angina.

Professor Francisco Leyva-León

MD, FRCP, FACC

Professor of Cardiology, Consultant Cardiologist

Telephone Consultation Cardiologist COVID-19