Chest Pain

Abstract

This chapter begins with the diagnostic challenge of a series of cases of central chest pain in patients ranging from the adolescent through to the elderly. Then follow cases of right or left sided chest pain, a number of cases of actual or potential cardiac neurosis and some illustrations of work problems related to cardiac disease. Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms presenting to the family physician and often carries with it serious connotations. Patients often present fearing they have heart disease. The way in which the family physician manages these problems is of the utmost importance to the outcome. Failure to diagnose serious heart disease can result in the patient losing his life; failure to positively reassure the patient when no heart disease exists can result in the development of life-long disabling cardiac neurosis.