Recognizing and Responding to Sudden Chest Pain During Holidays

Understanding the Risks

Holiday seasons often bring changes in lifestyle and activity patterns that can trigger serious health issues. Sudden chest pain during these periods should not be taken lightly as it can be indicative of severe medical conditions. According to Dr. Vireza Pratama, a cardiologist at Mayapada Hospital Jakarta Selatan, activities such as long-distance travel, excessive physical activity, stress, and uncontrolled eating habits can precipitate chest pain in individuals with pre-existing conditions like hypertension, high cholesterol, diabetes, or heart disease.

Warning Signs Not to Ignore

Dr. Vireza emphasizes that certain characteristics of chest pain warrant immediate medical attention. These include:

• Discomfort or pain in the chest that feels like pressure, burning, or a heavy weight
• Pain radiating to the left arm, neck, jaw, or back
• Accompanying symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweats, or dizziness

The nature of the pain can also provide clues about its cause. Pain that worsens with physical activity and improves with rest may indicate angina or coronary heart disease. Conversely, pain that intensifies with deep breathing, coughing, or movement typically suggests musculoskeletal origins.

Medical Evaluation and Treatment

Mayapada Hospital's Chest Pain Unit provides comprehensive evaluation for individuals experiencing sudden chest pain. If the cause is non-cardiac, the examination is free of charge. For cases related to heart conditions, patients are treated by cardiologists following established medical protocols. The hospital's Cardiovascular Center offers advanced heart disease management, including emergency cardiac services with a Door-to-Balloon time under 90 minutes for critical cases.

Prevention and Monitoring

Preventive measures include maintaining a healthy lifestyle by avoiding excessive consumption of fatty foods, engaging in regular physical activity, quitting smoking, reducing alcohol intake, and managing stress. The MyCare feature allows patients to monitor their health metrics such as heart rate, calories burned, step count, and Body Mass Index (BMI), providing a proactive approach to health management.