What chest pain can mean

This is probably the symptom that causes most concern amongst patients. However there are many causes of chest pain and careful evaluation is necessary. Chest pain that is aching in nature, and which is brought on by exertion (walking or other exercise), is usually referred to as angina, and can be due to a narrowing of the arteries feeding the heart muscle. This is more likely if you have risk factors such as diabetes, high blood pressure, or a strong family history of heart disease.

Investigation may include an exercise ECG, an echocardiogram, a CT coronary angiogram or a coronary angiogram.

Treatment may include medication, a coronary stent or a coronary bypass operation.

Tests that may be used

Exercise (or stress) ECGAn ECG recorded while you walk on a treadmill.

EchocardiogramA painless ultrasound scan of the heart muscle and valves.

CT coronary angiogramA non-invasive scan of the heart arteries, with a calcium score.

Coronary angiogramAn X-ray of the heart arteries, done under local anaesthetic.