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When Chest Pain Is a Tear in the Aorta
Aortic dissection is a life threatening tear in the body’s largest artery. Learn why sudden chest pain that radiates to the back demands immediate evaluation and rapid blood pressure control.
When Sudden Chest Pain Is a Collapsed Lung
Pneumothorax, or collapsed lung, happens when air escapes into the pleural space and compresses the lung. Learn why sudden chest pain and shortness of breath can signal this condition and how it is treated.
D Dimer The Clot Question
D-dimer is a blood test used to evaluate for dangerous blood clots such as deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. A normal result in the right patient can safely rule out clot, but an elevated value does not confirm one. Context and clinical risk matter.
Troponin A Marker of Damage
Chest pain often triggers a troponin test. This cardiac biomarker detects heart muscle injury, but an elevated result does not always mean heart attack. The trend and the full clinical picture determine what it means.
Not Just Heartburn, When Chest Pain Is a Heart Attack
A heart attack occurs when a coronary artery suddenly becomes blocked, cutting off blood flow to heart muscle. Learn the symptoms, how it is diagnosed, and why rapid treatment saves lives.