What causes intermittent pain in the center of the chest, and what should be done about it?
Jun 04, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Tian Hongbo
Introduction
Pain in the center of the epigastric region that comes in waves may be related to conditions such as pleuritis, pericarditis, or coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Patients can be treated with oral medications and other methods. In addition to these common causes, it could also be associated with myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, or rheumatic heart disease. If patients experience other accompanying discomforts, they should go to the hospital for examination and receive symptomatic treatment accordingly.
Pain in the center of the chest that comes and goes may be related to conditions such as pleuritis, pericarditis, or coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Patients can treat it with oral medications and other methods. Specific analyses are as follows:
1. Pleuritis
Pleuritis refers to inflammatory changes occurring within the pleural cavity. Inflammation can cause symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, sputum production, and difficulty breathing. Patients may take medications such as roxithromycin tablets or metronidazole tablets as directed by a physician.
2. Pericarditis
Pericarditis is an inflammatory reaction affecting the pericardium, which can easily impair normal heart function, leading to symptoms such as chest pain, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and arrhythmias. Patients may take medications such as penicillin V potassium tablets or cefixime capsules as prescribed by a doctor.
3. Coronary Atherosclerotic Heart Disease
Narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries can impair blood supply to the heart, resulting in symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, chest pain, and difficulty breathing. Patients may take medications such as suxiao jiuxin wan (quick-acting cardiac pills) or enteric-coated aspirin tablets under medical guidance to alleviate symptoms.
Besides the common causes mentioned above, similar symptoms may also be associated with myocarditis, acute myocardial infarction, or rheumatic heart disease. If patients experience additional discomfort, they should visit a hospital for evaluation and receive appropriate treatment accordingly.
