Understanding Chest Pain: Cardiac vs. Non-Cardiac Causes

When a patient experiences chest pain, doctors must determine whether the pain has a cardiac etiology, or cause, or whether it is noncardiac chest pain (NCCP). Since chest pain with a cardiac etiology may signal a heart attack or other serious condition, accurate diagnosis is essential.

Cardiac Causes

• Chest pain with a cardiac etiology may be caused by a heart attack, an aortic aneurysm, coronary angiography, pericarditis or a mitral valve prolapse.

Risk Factors

• Patients who have high blood pressure, smoke, have diabetes or have a family history of heart disease are more likely to suffer chest pain with a cardiac etiology.

Noncardiac Causes

• Chest pain that does not have a cardiac etiology may result from acid reflux, esophageal contraction disorders, lung disorders or digestive disorders. Acid reflux is the most common cause of noncardiac chest pain.

Diagnosis

• Doctors commonly perform electrocardiograms (EKGs), stress tests, laboratory tests and coronary angiographies on patients who have chest pain.