Pressing pain in the area of ​​the heart may occur due to various reasons. If it is combined with other signs - it radiates into the arm, intensifies during exercise, suddenly, is accompanied by a burning sensation, shortness of breath, has a cyclical nature - most likely, these are diseases of the heart or the coronary vessels that feed it.

Pressing pain in the heart does not necessarily signal a danger to life.

Pressing pain in the chest in the area of ​​the heart very often appears during physical or nervous stress, walking up the stairs, hypothermia, after a heavy lunch. Pressing pain in the heart, what is it? The provocateur of pain in the heart is oxygen starvation heart muscle, which is not satisfied by the existing blood flow in the body through the coronary arteries.

Heart ailments can be distinguished from others by additional signs:

• discomfort is felt in the back and shoulder blades;
• cough appears;
• there is an increase in pressure;
• heart rhythm is disturbed;
• increased heart rate;
• dizziness;
• pale to blue facial skin;
• nausea, vomiting.

What diseases can cause pressing pain?

Coronary insufficiency

Diseases in this group include. Compressive pain in the heart area, unbearable, radiating to the arm, appearing during emotional or physical stress and disappearing in a state of calm - signs.

Angina is distinguished by pain syndrome, the cause of which is insufficient blood supply to the myocardium. The pain is characteristic, pressing, cyclical, in the form of attacks with clearly defined intervals.

The attack is triggered by tension - nervous or physical, and goes away quickly within a couple of minutes if you stop moving. To relieve the condition, nitroglycerin is given - the symptom disappears after 1–2 minutes.

There are:

• stable angina (tension), which can occur during exercise;
• unstable.

Mild angina (called stable angina) may occur during physical stress, the pain stops after rest. “Unstable” angina leads to severe and unpredictable pain that does not go away completely even at rest, attacks become more frequent and severe.

During an attack, a person tends to lie or sit still, for fear of causing the pain to recur. If the duration of an attack of angina pectoris is more than 30 minutes, one can suspect. A doctor is called for timely assistance.

Varieties and consequences coronary insufficiency

With angina pectoris, arterial blood flow is not completely disrupted, the vessels are partially blocked, and there is no threat of heart damage. Medical care consists of restoring blood flow through the vessels, preventing blood clots from entering the heart, and restoring the normal rhythm of its work.

People who suffer from:

• hypertension;
• diabetes mellitus;
• smokers;
• burdened by heredity;
• overweight;
• women during hormonal imbalance,
• persons leading sedentary lifestyle life.

Pressing pain in the heart usually does not indicate a heart attack, but this option cannot be discarded - the course of the attack may be atypical. A symptom of acute coronary syndrome is a squeezing pain in the heart, radiating to left hand, bottom part neck, burning sensation in the chest, atypical, individual symptoms are possible. Associated symptoms- shortness of breath, vomiting, cold sweat.

In some cases, a heart attack may not be accompanied by pain, but may manifest itself as a change in heart rhythm, feeling severe weakness, shortness of breath, fainting.

During myocardial infarction, there are disturbances in blood flow to the heart muscle, and the functions of the organ are disrupted due to damage to areas of its tissue.

The acute phase of a heart attack is externally manifested by a severe, increasing intensity, burning sensation behind the sternum, a sharp lack of air, skin sticky with sweat, a prolonged, more than half an hour, pain attack that does not stop in a state of physical rest. The condition is indirectly indicated by a person’s behavior:

• he is excited, worried;
• experiences panic fear;
• writhing, moving in bed.

Pain during a heart attack, unlike angina, is not relieved by nitroglycerin. In this condition, the patient’s life depends on timely first aid.

Myocarditis

Constant pressing pain in the heart area is caused by myocarditis - inflammation in the myocardium, caused by pathogenic microorganisms or autoimmune diseases. The intensity of the sensations varies - from slight to very strong, similar to an angina attack.

Unpleasant sensations occur several times during the day and are not relieved by nitroglycerin. Signs of myocarditis are:

• feeling of weakness;
• inability to perform prolonged physical effort;
• violation heart rate;

The pain characteristic of myocarditis often occurs after a cold or flu. If the patient is not transferred to bed rest, possible development of heart failure.

Before heart pain appears, the patient may complain of joint pain, excessive sweating, increased body temperature.

Only a doctor can help a person with such symptoms.

Pressing pain in the chest can be caused by cardiomyopathy. The condition has not been fully studied; it is generally accepted that this is not a specific disease, but a syndrome in which the heart muscle and ventricles of the heart suffer, as a result of which the heart rhythm becomes confused and cannot fully perform its function.

Discomfort manifests itself both in one area of ​​the chest and spreads throughout the entire chest area, and may not depend on physical or emotional stress.

Cardiomyopathy does not have severe symptoms, but is the basis for weakening of the heart muscle and disturbances in the functioning of the coronary vessels. This will manifest itself as pressing chest pain of a periodic nature, suddenly and strongly manifesting itself.

Heart valve defects

Defects in the structure of the heart disrupt its function, weakening the heart muscle, causing disturbances in the functioning of the coronary vessels, provoking attacks of angina with pressure, shortness of breath

For prolapse mitral valve its valve, separating the left atrium from the ventricle, bends towards the atrium when the ventricle contracts. The disease most often affects women, occurs in one in 5 people, and can be congenital or an acquired disease that occurs after an injury or due to rheumatism.

When under emotional stress, it manifests itself with strong disturbances in the rhythm of its work.

Damage to the heart valves can be externally identified by the following signs:

• mitral valve defect various types detected by listening to the heart, the patient differs bright blush and lip color, swelling, shortness of breath;
• violation of the tricuspid valve is manifested by pulsation of the veins in the neck, swelling - the stronger valvular insufficiency, the more noticeable the pulsation in the neck.

Malfunctions of the heart due to the aortic valve over time develop into coronary insufficiency (angina), blurred vision and frequent dizziness, manifested by pressing pain during nervous or physical stress.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm

Life-threatening conditions include pressing pain in the heart, the causes of which are an aortic aneurysm - an enlargement of a section of a vessel caused by changes in the walls due to inflammation, injury or a congenital feature.

Most often, the condition of aortic dissection is caused by high blood pressure due to vascular defects.

Additional symptoms may include cough, wheezing, heavy breathing, hoarse voice. When a rupture occurs, a strong internal bleeding into the trachea and bronchi, pleural cavity, pericardium. There is severe pain in the chest and back, sharp decline pressure and shock.

How dangerous is the condition?

Pressing pain in the heart area and lack of air always cause alertness and fear, especially when it manifests itself against the background of strong nervous experiences.

If the pain is isolated, occurring due to overwork or nervous tension, and is not accompanied by a burning sensation, there is no need to panic, it does not pose a threat to life. To relieve the symptom, you need to lie down and drink a sedative. If such pain occurs periodically, you should consult a doctor for advice.

The following should be considered alarming and requiring a quick response:

• severe squeezing pain that occurs with little physical activity or nervous tension, which goes away with rest and taking nitroglycerin;
• pressing severe pain that occurs at rest, has a cyclical nature, becomes stronger with each attack.

Pain arising from tension indicates an attack of angina. It can usually be relieved by placing the patient comfortably and giving a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue every 3-5 minutes. The pain should go away within a few minutes.

If it is impossible to relieve an attack of pain, it lasts more than 15 minutes, you should immediately call ambulance- the condition is dangerous due to the occurrence of myocardial infarction. The pain is severe, sharp, accompanied by a burning sensation, has a cyclical nature and occurs at night and usually also indicates an extremely dangerous state of coronary insufficiency. A person in this condition needs urgent medical attention.

Before the ambulance arrives, the patient must be laid down, raising the upper body, given Nitroglycerin under the tongue, if he is in a state of panic, calm him down, tell him that help is on the way.

Useful video

Additional information about diseases causing pain in the heart area, watch this video:

Conclusion

1. The causes of pressing pain in the chest can be a number of heart diseases; if they occur, you should definitely see a doctor to identify the pathology and timely treatment.
2. If burning, cyclical chest pain occurs after exercise, nervous or physical, you should immediately take nitroglycerin.
3. If the pain does not go away and persists for more than ¼ hour, you need to call an ambulance.

Every person who has lived long enough has probably experienced a pressing sensation in the heart area. At least, they most often come to the cardiologist with precisely such complaints. People concerned about new unpleasant sensations, having an appointment with a doctor and complaining that there is pressure in the heart area, ask him - what is this, a symptom of what disease? Typically this is typical manifestation coronary heart disease, as well as its forms such as myocardial infarction or angina pectoris. Atherosclerosis or thrombosis of the coronary vessels that supply the heart leads to myocardial hypoxia (lack of oxygen), which is perceived by a person as pain. As a rule, when there is pressure in the area of ​​the heart, discomfort is felt: numbness of the limbs, a drop in blood pressure, headache and a very unpleasant fear of death.

Causes of pressing pain in the heart

The reasons why the heart presses can be very different. But they can be roughly divided into two categories – cardiological and all others. Naturally, treatment of the disease can only be done by identifying the root cause, the source of pain, because simple painkillers will only relieve the symptom, but will not cure the underlying disease.

Heart disease accompanied by chest pain must be treated urgently. If the patient does not apply for medical assistance, then a quick death awaits him.

Cardiac reasons

Most often, the causes of pressing pain in the heart are cardiac: heart attack, myocarditis, angina pectoris, cardioneurosis and others.

Angina pectoris

Diagnosis of pressing pain in the heart

To find out why the heart is pressing, a person needs to go through comprehensive examination. The first specialist to whom the therapist will refer will be a cardiologist who, after performing auscultation (listening to organs), will prescribe the following types diagnostics:

• general and specific blood tests;
• standard ECG and Holter monitoring;
• thermometry;
• ultrasound examination of the heart;
• radiography;
• CT and MRI;

In addition to the cardiologist, the therapist will refer the patient to a gastroenterologist and orthopedist.

What to do if your heart is pressing?

If a person’s heart is pressing, his first question will be – what to do? First of all, you need to firmly make sure that the cause of the pain is precisely the disease of the “pump” in your body. Heart pain when palpated intercostal space does not intensify, as does when turning the body or swallowing.

If the pain is of a cardiac nature, then the person needs to immediately stop physical activity and sit comfortably somewhere. Your legs should be lower than your chest to reduce blood flow to the heart, which can be dangerous if you have a heart attack. Sometimes, having found comfortable position, the person stops feeling pain, but if this does not happen, then you should immediately call an ambulance.

It is important to know what to take if the heart is pressing - the patient needs to be given a nitroglycerin tablet under the tongue, which sharply dilates the blood vessels, reducing pressure in the ventricles and easing the load on the heart. It is also necessary to provide him with an influx fresh air and try to calm him down.

What else should you drink before the ambulance arrives if a person still has pressure on his heart? Painkillers and sedatives, for example, drops of Valocordin or Corvalol, to which aspirin and analgin should be added. And then your actions should be subordinated to the possible cause of the disease:

• To relieve chest pain during angina pectoris, the patient is given nitroglycerin under the tongue, unless he has contraindications to this drug (severe anemia, some other pathologies).

• To improve blood rheology, it is prescribed acetylsalicylic acid and heparin, beta blockers are given to reduce signs of ischemia and eliminate arrhythmia. What is the best thing to drink if your heart is under pressure due to various arrhythmias to relieve pain? In this case, strophanthin and digoxin are indicated.
• If there is a suspicion of myocardial infarction, then the person should be placed so that upper part the body was elevated, free the chest from constricting clothing, ensure air flow and immediately call an ambulance.
• For patients with myocarditis, bed rest is important, with a course of antibiotics, desensitizing and anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Validol has a good effect on cardioneurosis, as it relieves chest pain caused by stress or neurosis. What can be done at home if the heart is pressing due to cardioneurosis? Without a doctor's instructions, you can use weak sedatives (motherwort, valerian, persen).
• For any pathology, the myocardium can be strengthened with the help of multivitamins, potassium and magnesium supplements, the optimal content of which is found in asparkam and panangin. But these drugs must also be prescribed by a doctor.

First of all, the patient is recommended healthy image life with a normal regime, sufficient rest, he should avoid conflicts and stressful situations, give up bad habits, take daily walks and engage in feasible sports.

Do you often feel a pressing pain in your heart? How do you cope with it, what do you accept? Tell us about it in the comments.

One of the most common types discomfort There is a pressing pain in the area of ​​the heart. It may be accompanied by the most various symptoms. Most often, these unpleasant sensations indicate problems in cardiology. Let's figure out what diseases cause pressing pain, and what needs to be done to improve well-being.

What symptoms may accompany pain?

Diagnosis of cardiac problems is complicated by the fact that the patient gives very brief descriptions unpleasant sensations. If the reason for going to the doctor was neurosis, then the descriptions of the symptoms are extremely colorful. Meanwhile, heart pain is often accompanied by:

• dizziness (occurs for a while or torments a person constantly);
• increased heart rate;
• uneven rhythm of contractions of the heart muscle;
• dyspnea;
• discomfort in the left arm, jaw, back;
• fainting;
• vomiting and nausea;
• fainting;
• pallor, bluish tint to the lips, skin and nail plates.

Many people do not associate these symptoms with sensations in the heart area. However, it is the combination of these signs with pressing pain that can become evidence of cardiac disorders. Do not attribute your condition to the weather or other factors.

If pressing pain in the heart area occurs, even the most terrible thing - a heart attack - cannot be ruled out, since it is often disguised as other diseases. It is best to give yourself first aid if any unpleasant sensations occur and call a doctor.

Read also: Caring for patients after a stroke

Angina pectoris

When the blood supply to the heart muscle is disrupted, angina occurs. It is with it that a feeling is created as if something is pressing on the left side, in the chest area. The pain is not constant, but occurs in attacks. They start at the moment:

• intense physical activity;
• under stress;
• increase in body temperature.

Angina can occur even in healthy person. It is important to be able to distinguish between an angina attack and a heart attack. With the latter, pain occurs even at rest or during sleep, and disruption of the blood supply to the heart occurs only during various overloads.

Sensations in the left hypochondrium during angina may be as follows:

• pressing;
• squeezing (feeling as if the heart has enlarged several times and there is not enough space);
• similar to heartburn (it seems that the temperature inside has increased by several tens of degrees).

Angina is often accompanied by a sharp change in blood pressure. The first aid for this condition is rest. The patient needs to lie down so that his legs are below the level of his heart. Next, you should take a tablet of the drug “Nitroglycerin”. Be sure to contact a cardiologist for examination. He will determine the exact cause of the pain. A person diagnosed with angina pectoris needs to avoid physical and emotional stress, and also carry Nitroglycerin with him.

Neurocircular dystonia

Heart neurosis is a non-cardiological cause of discomfort in the chest area. Neurocircular dystonia is caused by disturbances in the functioning of the central nervous system. However, she shows signs of severe cardiac disease. A patient with cardiac neurosis may notice a variety of symptoms:

• anxiety for no apparent reason;
• severe dizziness;
• headache;
• pressing sensations in the left chest, forearm, shoulder blade, lower jaw;
• fainting (floaters before the eyes and severe weakness);
• increased sweating;
• sleep disorders;
• difficulty breathing deeply;
• feeling as if there is a lump in the throat;
• It is difficult to swallow saliva due to spasm of the esophagus.

Constant, aching, low intensity - this is how you can characterize the pain concentrated behind the left sternum. It can occur not only under load, but also at rest.

Taking Nitroglycerin will not relieve you of discomfort. In order for the discomfort in the heart area and other symptoms to disappear, you need to take a sedative. Why in this case is it also not worth doing self-diagnosis? Neurocircular dystonia can be similar to angina and heart attack. If you take the wrong medicine, you can only worsen your condition. Your doctor will prescribe a sedative based on your lifestyle and concomitant illnesses.

A person diagnosed with heart neurosis needs to avoid stress. It is worth completely eliminating smoking and alcohol, not drinking strong tea and coffee. You should also not take long time medicines, any pharmacological agents must be prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication can provoke new attacks of pain in the left breast area. Also, do not reduce time for sleep and rest.

Myocarditis

The heart muscle can become inflamed as a result of infection or exposure to toxins. This is how myocarditis occurs. With it, patients complain that in the heart area:

• pricks;
• whines;
• presses;
• cuts.

Unpleasant sensations can be very diverse. In this case, inflammation makes itself felt by other symptoms:

• increased body temperature;
• weakness;
• loss of strength and decreased performance;
• fatigue;
• shortness of breath;
• swelling in the calf area;
• feeling of a sinking heart;
• arrhythmia or tachycardia.

With this disease, Nitroglycerin is also powerless, and attacks can occur several times during the day. Myocarditis may appear as a complication of a cold suffered “on the feet”. It is important not to let this happen heart disease didn't turn into running form. The development of chronic heart failure can only be prevented by observing bed rest and taking all medications prescribed by a cardiologist.

First aid for pressing pain

If you experience unpleasant sensations, you need to make sure that they are concentrated in the area of ​​the heart. In case of cardiac problems, there is pressure under the left nipple, closer to the side of the body. In this case, the source of pain should be located behind the sternum. Do a few simple manipulations:

• swallow saliva;
• feel the spaces between the ribs;
• Gently rotate your torso.

Read also: Causes and diseases of the circulatory system

If it is the heart that hurts, then the discomfort will not increase when performing these exercises. After you are sure that the source of pain in the left sternum is the heart muscle, sit down and take a comfortable position. You can lie down on several pillows so that your chest is higher than your legs.

If after a short rest you do not feel better, then you should call an ambulance. While you are waiting for help, take a Nitroglycerin or Aspirin Cardio tablet. Cardiomagnyl can also help with pain in the heart area. This drug helps make the blood more fluid and prevents the development of ischemia and the formation of blood clots.

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Reasons

Heart pain may occur due to various pathologies in the body, they are not always related to problems cardiovascular system.

Why pain occurs:

• poor blood supply and insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle;
• inflammatory processes in the tissues of the heart;
• failures in metabolic processes in cardiac tissues;
• increased blood pressure, heart disease - these pathologies cause increased load on the heart;
• stomach diseases, diseases of the esophagus - gastritis, ulcers;
• pathological changes V thoracic region spine, ribs, intercostal nerve endings;
• lung diseases.

With pain of cardiac origin, it often appears additional signs– tachycardia, arrhythmia, shortness of breath, the skin becomes pale or acquires a bluish tint. Against the background of poor blood supply, there is a feeling of lack of air, weakness, and fainting.

Important! Often, heart pain occurs against the background of colds - this is how the body reacts to toxins and the presence of pathogenic microorganisms.

Pressing heart pain occurs in different places chest, with irradiation to other parts of the body often observed.

1. The pain syndrome will increase after physical exertion, radiates to the left arm, back, is accompanied by a burning sensation and compression, increased blood pressure - this is angina pectoris, one of the varieties coronary disease. It will become easier for a person if he relaxes and dissolves nitroglycerin.
2. Pressing pain in the heart area at rest, which is long-lasting, is accompanied by tingling, aching sensations - nervous overexcitation, stress, high emotional stress.
3. Pressing pain in the chest in the region of the heart, which is accompanied by shortness of breath - a sign of myocarditis. In this infectious or toxic damage swelling of the heart muscle often occurs lower limbs, heart rate increases, temperature rises. The attack of pain occurs several times a day, nitroglycerin does not eliminate the unpleasant symptoms.


4. Pressing pain in the heart area in adolescents is rarely related to heart disease - the discomfort intensifies with deep breaths and waving the arms, which indicates problems with the musculoskeletal system. Sometimes heart pain in teenagers occurs due to the use of narcotic substances or illegal sports nutrition drugs.
5. The left arm goes numb due to pain in the heart - one of the most dangerous symptoms may indicate a heart attack. Similar symptoms can develop with atherosclerosis and intercostal neuralgia.

Important! If pain in your left arm is accompanied by blurred vision, or problems arise with your left leg, you should urgently consult a doctor; such symptoms often indicate a stroke.

Pressing pain under the heart that radiates to the forearm, lower jaw, shoulder blade – signs of cardioneurosis. The disease refers to pathologies of the nervous system and does not cause changes in the condition of heart tissue. Relief is observed after taking sedatives medicines. With cardioneurosis, a person becomes restless, the quality of sleep deteriorates, and sweating increases. The disease is accompanied increased fatigue, swallowing and deep breathing cause difficulties.

Diagnostic methods

The main type of diagnosis of heart pain is an electrocardiogram. Be sure to do a stress ECG - record the activity of the heart during rest and during physical activity. Based on the examination, you can see in which places the heart arteries are narrowed, determine the degree of wear and tear of the heart and blood vessels, and the risk of coronary artery disease.

Additional methods:

• chest x-ray;
• fibrogastroscopy – allows to exclude pathological changes in the stomach and esophagus;
• examination of the spine by a neurologist, MRI to detect intervertebral hernia;
• blood test - during a heart attack, damage to heart cells occurs, special enzymes appear in the blood;
• Ultrasound of the heart - aimed at studying the condition of the muscles and valves of the organ;
• tomography - allows you to identify coronary pathologies.

Important! Pressing pain in the heart is not typical for myocardial infarction. But it often indicates the onset of anaphylactic shock.

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Why is my heart pressing?

Pressing pain in the heart is quite rare during a heart attack, but this option cannot be ruled out in any case, since heart attack quite often disguised as any other disease. It is also contraindicated to engage in self-diagnosis when such a symptom appears.

Angina pectoris characterized by the appearance of pressing pain in the heart. The heart is designed in such a way that it must provide blood to the entire body, and physical activity and an increase in body temperature force it to work more intensely in order to provide the entire body with the necessary nutrients and oxygen. With angina pectoris, the pressing pain in the heart is paroxysmal in nature and is relieved by taking cardiac medications. Angina pectoris is diagnosed in almost every person. Pressing pain in the heart appears during physical activity, possibly when walking, while running, that is, during any physical activity, emotional shock. The distinguishing feature between angina and a heart attack is that an angina attack cannot occur during sleep, at rest.

Only a doctor can make a diagnosis. It is important to correctly describe your condition. With angina, the pain is pressing, squeezing in nature, sometimes this condition resembles heartburn, as there is a feeling that something is burning inside. An attack of pressing pain during angina pectoris is accompanied by a change in blood pressure. A cardiologist should look for an answer to the question of why the heart is pressing. But if the pain strikes a person suddenly (and this usually happens with angina), then you need to calm down, take a comfortable body position, and take a nitroglycerin tablet. If a person is diagnosed with angina pectoris, then he should try to avoid physical activity, emotional stress, always have nitroglycerin tablets with you.

Pressing pain in the upper region of the heart appears when neurocirculatory dystonia(neurosis of the heart). A number of unpleasant sensations (pressing pain, dizziness, palpitations) appear after strong emotional experiences as a consequence of excitement. This condition is observed in young people who often suffer infectious diseases upper respiratory tract. In case of an attack of pressing pain, you should take sedatives(valerian, corvalol, valocardine). If attacks occur frequently, you can periodically take sedatives or sleeping pills. The patient will need to get rid of bad habits, try not to be exposed to stress and avoid emotional overstrain.

Why is my heart pressing? Another possible reason is myocarditis(disease caused by infection). Symptoms: severe pressing pain in the chest, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, possible swelling in the legs. Myocarditis usually appears as a complication after colds. Chronic heart failure may develop if the patient is not placed on strict bed rest and adequate treatment is not started.

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Description of the symptom

• Patients characterize pressing pain in the heart area as a feeling of squeezing in the left side of the chest. This symptom occurs suddenly during physical or emotional stress, or for no apparent reason.
• The pressure is short-term, no more than half an hour.
• The intensity can vary - from weak to so pronounced that the patient is forced not to move and hold his breath.
• The fist symptom is characteristic - the patient can approximately describe the area in which he experiences pressing pain by pressing his fist to his chest.
• The pain is relieved by stopping the load, using techniques sedatives or nitrates.

There are several diseases that manifest themselves as a feeling of pressure on the heart.

These could be:

1. Angina;
2. Myocardial infarction;
3. Cardioneurosis;
4. Myocarditis.

• Pressing pain in the heart His diseases are often accompanied by shortness of breath, a feeling of lack of air, fear of death, anxiety and other unpleasant sensations.
• The patient may feel much worse than his actual condition, or, conversely, feel relatively good with severe myocardial damage.
• For angina and heart attack myocardial pain has a pressing, squeezing or stabbing nature, accompanied by shortness of breath, fear of death, and other symptoms.
  Duration of pain(longer than half an hour) is considered the first differential diagnostic sign of a heart attack, allowing to distinguish it from an attack of angina. The intensity of the pain has nothing to do with the severity of the condition.
• Cardioneurosis has a different nature, but symptoms similar to angina pectoris - pressing pain, shortness of breath, fear. It can be difficult to distinguish cardioneurosis from angina pectoris and even a heart attack. Moreover, it is possible to have both of these diseases at the same time.
  Associated symptoms may not give a clear picture, and the nature of the pain does not depend on which of the two diseases it is caused by. An attack of cardioneurosis can be easily controlled with sedatives.
• Myocarditis– inflammation of the myocardium, has either an infectious or toxic nature. Distinctive feature pain with this disease - it is present almost constantly. The intensity of the pain may vary throughout the day. Associated symptoms may be absent in chronic myocarditis.
  Acute myocarditis manifested by increased body temperature, severe weakness during any physical activity, constant pain in the heart of a different character.

Consequences

If no measures are taken, the disease that caused heart pain will progress, which will eventually lead to life-threatening consequences.

1. Heart attack- This acute disorder blood supply to the heart, which leads to the death of some myocardial cells, and a scar forms in their place. The consequences depend on the size and location of the scar. Scar tissue, unlike muscle tissue, is unable to contract, so after a heart attack, heart function deteriorates significantly.
   How does this affect the patient's condition?, depends on whether the remaining one can muscle tissue compensate for the damaged function. The recovery period after a heart attack is long and associated with a significant limitation of physical activity.
2. Myocarditis – inflammatory disease, which can be acute or chronic. The course of acute myocarditis, as a rule, is rapid, leading to significant hemodynamic disturbances, heart rhythm disturbances, and subsequently to the formation of an extensive scar.
   Chronic myocarditis lasts a long time, with periodic exacerbations and remissions, leading to the gradual replacement of part of the heart muscle tissue with scar tissue (cardiosclerosis). This disease can be even more dangerous than myocardial infarction, although it is less common.

First aid for pressing pain in the heart

Pressing pain in the heart - alarming symptom, therefore, if it occurs, it is imperative to take therapeutic measures:

What to do if your heart is pressing?

A short list of what needs to be done if the heart is pressing and it’s hard to breathe:

1. Sit or lie down in a comfortable position;
2. Provide air access to respiratory tract. If possible, open the window;
3. Take nitroglycerin;
4. If the condition worsens or the pain lasts more than half an hour:
   • Call an ambulance;
   • Take 3 tablets of nitroglycerin at intervals of 20 minutes;
   • If necessary, apply pressure bandages on your feet, inhale the alcohol vapor.

These measures are not enough for full treatment, but they can improve the patient’s condition.

Description of what should never be done unless absolutely necessary:

• Move and talk;
• Take painkillers, diuretics, antiarrhythmics;
• Ignore pain if it lasts longer than half an hour;
• Refuse hospitalization.

These actions can aggravate the patient's condition and lead to more dangerous consequences, call severe violations hemodynamics.

Dangerous accompanying symptoms

• Pain in the heart Rarely occur on their own, they are usually accompanied by other symptoms. As a rule, they arise due to hemodynamic disturbances.
• Fear of death- Very characteristic symptom, which almost always accompanies heart pain. Associated with the exceptional importance of heart function for the body, and the resulting emotional reaction for pain in the heart.
• Shortness of breath, feeling of lack of air appear due to impaired blood circulation in the pulmonary circulation. As a rule, stagnation develops in it, which can lead to pulmonary edema. This dangerous condition, which disrupts gas exchange, manifests itself as a bluish tint to the skin, shortness of breath, cough with sputum, and in severe cases, foam from the lungs.
• Other symptoms associated with pressure on the head and heart - general weakness, feeling tired, headache, tinnitus and spots before the eyes are associated with hemodynamic disturbances.

When to see a doctor?

1. It is advisable to consult a doctor in any case if you experience heart pain, especially if it is accompanied by the symptoms described above.
2. The second situation is when an appeal for medical care mandatory - if the therapy prescribed by the doctor has ceased to be effective.
3. And the third situation when you need to immediately consult a doctor is a suspicion of a heart attack or other serious complication.
4. In other cases, it is advisable to periodically be examined by a cardiologist so that the doctor has the opportunity to monitor the course of the disease, evaluate the effectiveness of treatment, and prevent the development of severe complications in a timely manner.

Diagnosis of heart diseases

Treatment of heart disease is impossible without correct diagnosis.

Modern cardiology has a fairly large arsenal of tools for diagnosing heart diseases:

Only based on the data of these tests, the doctor will be able to diagnose accurate diagnosis, and it is reasonable to say what to take if your heart is pressing. Self-medication in this case is very dangerous - after all, you don’t joke with your heart.

The causes of pressing pain in the chest can be different. Painful sensations can be associated with the presence of pathologies in the cardiovascular system, respiratory diseases, or due to psychological problems.

You can find out the cause of pressing pain in the heart by contacting your local doctor and undergoing medical examination. Based on the results of the examination, the patient will be prescribed appropriate treatment.

Causes of pressing chest pain

Painful sensations in the chest are not independent disease. This is always a sign of a serious illness that should not be neglected.

Pain in cardiovascular diseases

The most common cause of chest pain is angina. The disease manifests itself due to poor blood supply to the myocardium caused by atherosclerotic plaques in the coronary vessels. The pain is paroxysmal in nature. They can be both pressing and burning. The pain may radiate to the shoulder or under left shoulder blade. Less often it goes to the jaw or arm on the left. Begins after stress or excessive physical activity. The duration of the attack is from 5 to 15 minutes.

What diseases can occur? painful sensations in the area of ​​the heart.

1. 1. Myocardial infarction - death of a small part of the heart muscle due to lack of blood supply.
2. 2. Myocarditis - inflammatory process in the heart muscle.
3. 3. Mitral valve prolapse - sagging of the valve leaflets into the left atrium.
4. 4. Neurocirculatory dystonia - a violation of the hormonal and nervous regulation of the cardiovascular system. Pain with NCD is divided into three types: simple cardialgia, vegetative cardialgia and false angina.
5. 5. Pulmonary thromboembolism - blockage pulmonary artery thrombus.

Characteristics of pressing pain in the heart in various diseases:

Name of the disease	Nature of pain	Main symptoms
Myocardial infarction	The sensations are similar to the pain of angina pectoris, but much stronger. The duration of the attack is more than 15 minutes. The attack does not go away, even if you take nitroglycerin	Lack of air, increased heart rate, signs of arrhythmia, panic attacks. The skin takes on a bluish tint. Sweating increases
Myocarditis	Soreness in chest occurs at rest or the next day after physical activity. Nitroglycerin does not relieve an attack	The heart rate increases and shortness of breath occurs during physical activity. IN in rare cases the temperature rises to 37-38 degrees
Mitral valve prolapse	Long-term painful sensations in the chest. The nature of the pain can be pressing or aching	There is nausea, a feeling of a lump in the throat. My head is spinning. Weakness throughout the body. Temperature may rise slightly
Simple cardialgia	Lightweight dull ache, is of short duration. The attack repeats up to several times a day	Anxiety, shortness of breath and increased heart rate
Autonomic cardialgia	The heart beats very hard and for a long time	Seizures panic attacks, tremors in the limbs, shortness of breath at rest. Heartbeat quickens. Blood pressure rises sharply
False angina	The pain is not severe. Appears after physical activity. Often the pain radiates to the left arm or under the left shoulder blade. Less often in the jaw. Your arm may feel slightly numb. Chest pain resembles the sensations of real angina, but is not associated with a lack of blood supply to the myocardium	There are no other symptoms other than chest pain
Pulmonary embolism	Pain sensations are the same as during myocardial infarction	Lack of air, general weakness throughout the body. Feeling dizzy, sometimes to the point of fainting. Skin cyanotic. The pulse is practically not palpable, the pressure drops. Rarely appears severe cough with splashes of blood

Pain in the chest due to psychological problems

Pain in the chest can appear with both significant and minor mental problems.

The most common causes of pressing chest pain in psychological disorders:

1. 1. Stressful situations.
2. 2. Syndrome chronic fatigue(asthenic syndrome).
3. 3. Depressive states.
4. 4. Post-traumatic syndrome.
5. 5. Various unfounded fears(phobias). For example, cardiophobia (fear of heart disease), nyctophobia (fear of the dark), social phobia (fear large cluster people) can cause unpleasant pressing pain in the heart.
6. 6. Increased anxiety about your health (hypochondria).

Pain associated with psychological factors, usually manifests itself in the region of the apex of the heart muscle.

Cardialgia in respiratory diseases

Pressing pain in the heart area usually occurs with the following diseases:

• chronic pneumonia;
• tuberculosis;
• pneumoconiosis - changes in the lungs associated with inhalation of dust containing harmful impurities;
• tumor in the left lung.

With these diseases, the heart constantly presses. Painful spasms may either intensify or subside. Unpleasant sensations are localized specifically in the lung, but due to its proximity to the heart muscle, a person assumes that the pain occurs in the heart.

Article publication date: 06/20/2017

Article updated date: 12/21/2018

From this article you will learn: if your heart hurts, what should you do at home? When emergency hospitalization is necessary, how to provide first aid for heart pain? What you can and cannot do for heart pain.

The area where heart pain appears is located directly behind the sternum, and can sometimes shift slightly to the left. Typical heart pains are squeezing, pressing or burning, often unbearable. Characteristic sign– irradiation (pain echo) in left half body (in the arm, under the shoulder blade, in the shoulder, in the jaw). Usually occur against the background nervous stress, physical activity, during eating and gradually fade away at rest.

Click on photo to enlarge

If acute heart pain occurs, you must call an ambulance; under no circumstances should you stop the attack yourself. Before the arrival of doctors, you can provide first aid, drugs that are allowed to be used at home - aspirin and nitroglycerin.

With aching, pulling or stabbing, but tolerable pain that recurs regularly, there is no need for emergency hospitalization. However, you definitely need to see a cardiologist and undergo an examination to determine the cause of the symptom.

When emergency hospitalization is necessary for heart pain

There are several signs by which (in 80%) pain of cardiac origin can be distinguished:

1. It comes suddenly.
2. Rarely - at night or early in the morning.
3. Usually - in the process of performing any physical actions, after eating, against the background of severe stress.
4. The pain is intense, unbearable, burning, tearing, pressing, squeezing in nature.
5. “Gives” to the left half of the body (to the arm, shoulder, under the shoulder blade, jaw).
6. May spread to the abdomen or back.
7. Its intensity does not depend on changes in body position, inhalation or exhalation.

The pain during an attack may not be too bright and distinct; based on the strength of its manifestation, it is impossible to conclude how serious the heart pathology caused it.

If the pain is combined:

• with shortness of breath;
• increasing panic, fear of death, excitement;
• weakness;
• pale skin or cyanosis (cyanosis) of the skin;
• cold sweat;
• nausea;
• vomiting;
• loss of consciousness

then these signs indicate cardiac pathologies (myocardial infarction, angina); when they appear, the patient must be hospitalized.

What to do at home before the ambulance arrives

When acute pain The time of the onset of the attack is noted behind the sternum, an ambulance is called and the symptoms are described to the dispatcher (what caused the attack, its nature, shortness of breath, pallor, sweating, etc.).

What you can do at home before the team arrives:

• calm a person without using any medications sedatives(no valerian, no Corvalol drops!);
• comfortable to sit or lay down (just not on the left side);
• ensure ventilation of the room (open the window);
• remove or unfasten clothing that interferes with the free position of the body;
• give the patient one aspirin tablet (the drug thins the blood, improving blood flow and blood supply to organs);
• give a nitroglycerin tablet (the patient must dissolve it in oral cavity). If you are not sure that the pain is caused by cardiac pathology, you should stop taking aspirin. Nitroglycerin greatly dilates blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, this can be dangerous for people with hypotension (low blood pressure);
• if the pain does not go away after 5 minutes, the patient should dissolve another nitroglycerin tablet.

Nitroglycerin can be given only 3 times with an interval of 5 minutes, perhaps it will extinguish the acute pain.

If the attack was stopped within 20 minutes, the patient still needs to be hospitalized, fully examined and the diagnosis that caused the symptom to be established. This is especially necessary if the pain does not subside (20 minutes after the onset of the attack).

When emergency hospitalization is not needed, what can you do at home?

Heart pain or similar sensations can be caused not only by heart disease, but also by a number of other reasons (hypertension, neurosis, hiatus hernia). You can help yourself at home if you know or suspect what disease is causing the symptom.

If you have angina pectoris (a form of coronary heart disease), it will relieve pain

1. Mustard plaster on the chest, in the area of ​​the heart. After about 5 minutes, it will dilate the underlying vessels and cause a rush of blood. Additional effect– the irritating effect of mustard, which will distract from unpleasant feelings in the heart. Keep the mustard plaster on your chest for no longer than 20 minutes.
2. Pepper patch on the chest, in the area of ​​the heart (hold for no longer than 20 minutes).
3. 2 liter bath warm water(no more than 45°C) and a tablespoon of mustard, keep your feet in the water for no more than 10–15 minutes.
4. 10–15 drops fir oil, if you rub them into the skin in the sternum area for 5–7 minutes.
5. Validol in the form of drops (4-6 per piece of sugar) or tablets (one under the tongue), the drug will begin to act within 2-3 minutes.

For heart pain and high blood pressure

Alternate a hot (just over 50°C) bath with cold (room temperature) water for 10 minutes. Legs in hot water immerse for 2 minutes, and in cold water for 20–30 seconds.

For pain in the heart and hiatus hernia

Drink half a glass of still water drinking water with 1 teaspoon of soda.

For pain in the heart against a background of depression, depression, melancholy, neurosis

• Mix motherwort herb, valerian, peony, hawthorn fruits in equal proportions, brew a teaspoon of the raw material with one glass of boiling water. After cooling, strain the infusion, divide into three parts, drink 1/3 slowly, in small sips.
• Mix lemon balm and thyme in equal proportions, brew a teaspoon of the mixture with boiling water, and strain after cooling. Divide into 3 parts, drink 1/3 slowly, in small sips.

Any pain in the chest, even the slightest, is a reason to go to the clinic and full examination, cardiac pathology is better treated in the early stages.

What not to do at home if you have heart pain

At severe pain in the heart that arose for the first time is not recommended:

• move intensively, perform any exercises (load increases symptoms);
• be nervous;
• breathe deeply while doing breathing exercises(possible blood clot separation and thromboembolism);
• apply massage (blot clot separation is possible);
• stimulate the vagus (vagal) nerve (vagal tests help eliminate tachycardia).

Not a single folk or home remedy does not have a sufficient vasodilator or analgesic effect to relieve heart pain for a long time. All methods produce a temporary effect without eliminating the cause of the symptom.

Therefore, it is imperative to consult a cardiologist, individual examination and prescription, adequate supportive therapy, and your own means to stop the attack.