Differential diagnosis of chest pain in women

The female breasts are a relatively sensitive part because after marriage women will go through the process of childbirth and breastfeeding. Especially during lactation, women's breasts are prone to inflammation, leading to mastitis. Therefore, no matter at which stage women are in, they need to take good care of their breasts. It is best to have regular chest examinations. So what is the differential diagnosis of chest pain in women?

1. ACS (Acute Coronary Syndrome)

ACS includes ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, and unstable angina. Among them, the latter two types are collectively referred to as non-ST-segment elevation ACS (NSTE-ACS). Typical angina pectoris is located behind the sternum and presents a squeezing, tightness, stuffiness or burning sensation, which may radiate to the neck, jaw, upper abdomen, shoulder or left forearm. It usually lasts for 2 to 10 minutes and can be relieved within 3 to 5 minutes after resting or taking nitroglycerin. Triggering factors include fatigue, exercise, full meals, cold, emotional excitement, etc.

2. Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is caused by a tear in the aortic intima, which allows blood to enter the blood vessel wall, causing the aorta to separate or rupture. About half of aortic dissections are caused by hypertension, especially rapid and malignant hypertension, or long-term uncontrolled and difficult-to-control refractory hypertension. Hereditary vascular diseases such as Marfan syndrome, bicuspid aortic valve, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, familial aortic aneurysm and/or aortic dissection, and vascular inflammatory diseases including Takayasu arteritis, Behcet's syndrome, syphilis, etc. are all high-risk factors for aortic dissection.

3. Pulmonary embolism

Pulmonary embolism includes pulmonary thromboembolism, fat embolism syndrome, amniotic fluid embolism, etc. Among them, pulmonary thromboembolism is the most common type, and pulmonary embolism usually refers to pulmonary thromboembolism. Deep vein thrombosis is the main source of thrombus causing pulmonary thromboembolism, and often occurs in the deep veins of the lower limbs or pelvis. Therefore, the risk factors for pulmonary thromboembolism are the same as those for deep vein thrombosis, including two major categories of risk factors: primary and acquired. Dyspnea and shortness of breath are the most common symptoms in patients with pulmonary embolism, occurring in 80% of patients with pulmonary embolism.

4. Tension pneumothorax

Tension pneumothorax refers to the rupture of larger alveoli or larger and deeper lung lacerations or bronchial ruptures, in which the lacerations communicate with the pleural cavity and form a one-way valve, also known as high-pressure pneumothorax. When inhaling, air enters the pleural cavity through the fissure, and when exhaling, the valve closes and the air in the cavity cannot be discharged, causing the pressure in the pleural cavity to continue to increase, compressing the lung and causing it to gradually collapse, and pushing the mediastinum to the healthy side, squeezing the healthy lung, causing serious obstruction of respiratory and circulatory functions.