Description of Various Types of Cardiovascular Pain
| Problem/Condition | Description using COLDSPA |
|---|---|
| Angina (myocardial ischemia) | C: tight pressing, heavy O: Discomfort occurring often with exertion L: Across the chest and may radiate to shoulders, jaws, neck, or upper abdomen D: Lasts up to 20 minutes S: Mild to moderate pain P: May be relieved with nitroglycerine A: May occur with difficulty breathing, nausea, or sweating |
| Myocardial infarction (irreversible heart damage because of myocardial ischemia) | C: Heavy, tight pressing O: Discomfort occurring with or without exertion L: Across the chest and may radiate to shoulders, jaws, neck, or upper abdomen D: Lasts 20 minutes up to hours S: often moderate to severe pain P: Rest does not relieve A: May occur with nausea, vomiting, weakness, and sweating |
| Aortic dissecting aneurysm (tear in the wall lining the aorta) | C: Tearing, ripping sensation O: Abrupt L: In chest radiating to neck, back, or abdomen D: Lasting for hours S: Severe P: Aggravated by hypertension. Relieved only with treatment A: Also seen with difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, leg pain, and syncope |
| Pericarditis (inflammation of the parietal pleura next to the pericardium) | C: Sharp, stabbing, pounding feeling when heart beats O: Ongoing L: Pericardial pain radiating to shoulders or neck D: Ongoing S: Severe P: Aggravated by breathing position changes, coughing, and may be relieved with sitting forward A: May also be seen with fever, weakness, tiredness, coughing, trouble breathing, and/or pain when swallowing |