Chest pain and angina

Telephone Consultation Cardiologist COVID-19

Private secretary: +44 7812 243176

Appointments, Little Aston Hospital: 0121 580 7151

Appointments, Priory Hospital: 0121 440 2323

COVID-19 ALERT

Following the UK Government's guidelines, outpatient and inpatient access to NHS and private facilities in the UK have been restricted. Patients can still access private consultations via telephone or video links. Until recently, only patients who were considered critical by the Consultant could be seen in person in a hospital or clinic. As from June 2020, tests for non-critical problems can be performed. Face to face contacts, however, will still need to be kept at a minimum.

If you would like to consult with Professor Leyva, please contact his secretary to arrange a new or follow-up telephone or video appointment. The video consultation can be done using 'Zoom' and a specific code. Please note that a clinical opinion will be provided on the basis of a remote consultation and that additional tests and procedures will be planned after this consultation. If your situation is critical, a face-to-face appointment may be arranged.

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 MD, FRCP, FACC

Professor of Cardiology, Consultant Cardiologist

Telephone Consultation Cardiologist COVID-19