Chest pain does not always signal a cardiac problem and can often stem from psychosomatic causes, according to Russian cardiologist and general practitioner Andrey Kondrakhin.
Speaking to news outlet RT, Kondrakhin explained that pain caused by emotional distress produces no visible changes on an electrocardiogram, whereas genuine heart distress causes severe physical symptoms and immediate electrical abnormalities in the heart.
Kondrakhin, a candidate of medical sciences, noted that psychoemotional pain typically worsens when a person experiences anxiety. However, the discomfort diminishes or disappears entirely when the individual shifts their attention, gets rest, or removes the underlying stressful factor.
Psychosomatic symptoms occur when emotional factors, such as high stress or anxiety, manifest as actual physical discomfort in the body. In medical diagnostics, general practitioners and cardiologists rely on routine tests like electrocardiograms to determine whether chest symptoms stem from structural heart issues or psychological triggers.
Identifying True Cardiac Emergencies
In contrast, true cardiac pain is so intense that affected individuals often begin to toss about in distress, Kondrakhin said. He added that heart-related pain intensifies during walking, does not change with body position, and is accompanied by heavy sweating and a profound sense of helplessness.
When pain is genuinely connected to the heart, diagnostic changes are already visible on an electrocardiogram. An ECG records the electrical signals of the heart, allowing medical professionals to quickly identify arrhythmias, ischemia, or signs of an impending heart attack.
Dietary Approaches to Heart Health
The guidance on chest pain follows previous statements from cardiologist José Abellán regarding the critical role of nutrition in managing cardiovascular health. Abellán highlighted proper diet as a key factor in treating hypertension, recommending the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension diet as the most effective nutritional pattern for preventing and managing high blood pressure.
Hypertension, commonly known as high blood pressure, is a long-term condition in which the force of blood against artery walls is consistently too high, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke. The DASH diet emphasizes nutrient-dense foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins, while restricting sodium and saturated fats to support cardiovascular wellness.
