KARACHI, Oct 12: “Chest pain can be due to a number of causes. However chest pain originating from the heart needs to be taken care of early as it can be life threatening.” This was said Dr S.M. Najaf Ali Nadeem, consultant cardiologist at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH).

He was giving a presentation on “Chest Pain or Discomfort” at the monthly public health awareness programme, Signs, Symptoms and Care, on Saturday.

“It has been estimated that up to fifty percent of patients with heart attack die even before reaching the hospital. Pain or discomfort from the heart can be felt anywhere, jaw, chest, arms and abdomen.

All those individuals who smoke or have diabetes, high blood pressure, elevated blood cholesterol levels or history of heart attack in young age among first degree relatives are at risk of heart attack,” said Dr Najaf.

He further said that timely recognition and immediate treatment to open occluded vessel was essential. Angina he said, is another form of chest pain which occurs when blood vessels are narrowed, and causes impairment of blood flow to the heart muscle.

Concluding Dr Najaf said: “Preventive measures should be strongly encouraged. These include healthy diet and avoidance of smoking.”—APP