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Chest Pain

Greenwich Primary Care

Primary Care, Internal Medicine, & Immediate Care in Greenwich, CT

If chest pain and tightness occur regularly, it’s important to have an evaluation to find out why. With the help of Josh Shajan, MD, at Greenwich Primary Care in Cos Cob, Greenwich, Connecticut, you can undergo a comprehensive chest pain evaluation and find out which treatment may be best for your needs. You can book an exam online or over the phone, but if you need immediate care, walk in during business hours.

Chest Pain Q & A

Why do I have chest pain?

Acute chest pain that leads to severe pressure and crushing sensations may indicate a heart attack, which requires immediate emergency medical intervention. But chest pain can also occur for less serious reasons. If you have chest pain, any of the following conditions may be to blame:

  • Angina 
  • Asthma
  • Shingles 
  • Bronchitis 
  • Heartburn 
  • Fractured rib 
  • Hiatal hernia 
  • Pulmonary embolism
  • Swallowing disorders
  • Esophageal abnormalities 
  • Pancreas or gallbladder issues, including gallstones

You may also struggle with chest pain if you have severe panic attacks. In any case though, chest pain is never something you should ignore. 

When should I see a doctor for chest pain?

Dr. Shajan encourages you to come in to Greenwich Primary Care for an evaluation if you regularly experience chest pain that’s associated with:

  • Tenderness when you put pressure on your chest
  • Pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing
  • Sensations of food re-entering your mouth
  • Difficulty swallowing
  • Breathlessness 
  • Wheezing 

Greenwich Primary Care provides comprehensive evaluations for all types of chest pain, but if you’re having a medical emergency, please head to the emergency room or call 911 immediately. 

How is chest pain treated?

How chest pain is treated depends on its underlying cause. Dr. Shajan may recommend having an on-site X-ray or electrocardiogram (EKG), as well as in-house labs to help with the diagnostic process. Once he gets to the root of why you have chest pain, he may recommend any of the following medications:

  • Anti-inflammatory steroids
  • Acid-suppressing drugs
  • Blood thinners
  • Antidepressants 

Greenwich Primary Care also helps with with lifestyle changes you may need to incorporate to treat your underlying condition and reduce the incidence of chest pain. For instance, if your chest pain is heartburn related, Dr. Shajan can get you set up with dietary counseling — offered right in the clinic — so you can learn which foods you need to avoid. 

You can come to Greenwich Primary Care to obtain a diagnosis and treatment for many types of chest pain. Book an exam online or by phone, or you can walk in if you need to be seen right away.