Chest Problems

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Reference Making the Most of Your Appointment.

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• When did the chest pain begin?
  • How long does the pain last?
  • How often does the pain occur?
  • How severe is the pain?
  • What does the pain feel like?
  • Where is the pain located?
  • Does the pain change or get worse when you take a deep breath?
• What were you doing when it started? Is the pain related to activity? Is it related to eating? Is it related to body position?
• Does the pain start in the chest and spread to another part of the body? Or does it start somewhere else and spread to the chest?
• Did you have other symptoms with the chest pain? What are the other symptoms?
• Has this ever happened before? If so, did you see a doctor?
  • What was the diagnosis?
  • What tests were done?
  • How was it treated?
• Have you had a chest injury or a fall?
  • How and when did an injury occur?
  • Have you had any chest injuries in the past? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
• What activities make your symptoms better or worse?
• What home treatment have you tried to relieve the pain? Did it help?
• What nonprescription medicines have you taken? Did they help?
• Do you have any Reference health risks?

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