Chest Pain: Don't Ignore It
Chest pain is the symptom that stops people in their tracks, and rightly so. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the UAE, accounting for approximately 40% of all fatalities. Yet not all chest pain is heart-related, and understanding the difference can save your life.
At Al Das Medical Clinic, our Internal Medicine team sees patients with chest pain regularly. Here's what you need to know.
Common Causes of Chest Pain
| Cause | Type of Pain | Other Symptoms | Urgency |
|---|
| Heart attack | Crushing, squeezing, pressure in centre of chest | Pain radiating to left arm, jaw, or back; sweating; nausea | Call 998 immediately |
| Angina | Tight, heavy feeling during exertion | Shortness of breath, relieved by rest | See doctor within 24 hours |
| Acid reflux (GERD) | Burning sensation behind breastbone | Worse after eating, lying down; sour taste | Routine appointment |
| Muscle strain | Sharp, localised pain that worsens with movement | Tender to touch, related to exercise | Routine appointment |
| Anxiety/Panic attack | Tightness, rapid heartbeat | Tingling, sweating, sense of doom | Routine (but rule out cardiac first) |
| Costochondritis | Sharp pain at rib-breastbone junction | Worse with deep breathing or pressing | Routine appointment |
| Pulmonary embolism | Sudden sharp pain, worse with breathing | Sudden shortness of breath, rapid heart rate | Emergency, call 998 |
Warning Signs That Require Immediate Attention
Call 998 (UAE emergency) or go to the nearest emergency department if your chest pain:
- Feels like crushing pressure or squeezing
- Radiates to your left arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea
- Occurs with sudden dizziness or fainting
- Lasts more than 15 minutes and doesn't improve with rest
- Occurs with a rapid or irregular heartbeat
Cardiovascular Risk Factors in the UAE
The UAE has several factors that increase cardiovascular risk across the population:
- Sedentary lifestyle, The heat discourages outdoor activity for much of the year
- High rates of diabetes, Approximately 1 in 5 UAE adults has diabetes, a major cardiac risk factor
- Dietary patterns, High consumption of processed foods, sugary drinks, and large portions
- Smoking and shisha, Shisha smoking is equivalent to inhaling 100-200 times the volume of a single cigarette
- Stress, The fast-paced lifestyle in Dubai contributes to chronic stress, which elevates blood pressure and cortisol
- Vitamin D deficiency, Despite the sunshine, most UAE residents are deficient, which is linked to cardiovascular risk
How Al Das Can Help
Our Internal Medicine specialist, Dr. Sevdalina Velizarova, provides comprehensive cardiovascular assessment including:
- Detailed clinical examination, Listening to your heart, checking blood pressure, assessing risk factors
- ECG (Electrocardiogram), Immediate in-clinic heart rhythm assessment
- Comprehensive blood work, Lipid profile, HbA1c, CRP, homocysteine, and other cardiac markers
- Risk stratification, Using validated tools to calculate your 10-year cardiovascular risk
- Referral coordination, If advanced imaging or specialist cardiology is needed, we coordinate directly with King's College Hospital London, Dubai
Prevention Is Better Than Treatment
The most effective approach to chest pain is preventing the conditions that cause it:
- Know your numbers, Blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and BMI
- Exercise regularly, 150 minutes of moderate activity per week
- Eat a Mediterranean-style diet, Rich in vegetables, fish, olive oil, and whole grains
- Manage stress, Regular relaxation, adequate sleep, and professional support when needed
- Stop smoking, Including shisha. Al Das offers smoking cessation support
- Get annual check-ups, Especially if you're over 40 or have a family history of heart disease
"Cardiovascular disease is largely preventable. The key is identifying risk factors early, before symptoms appear.", Dr. Sevdalina Velizarova, Internal Medicine
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