Right Heartache Take this chestache seriously

Sudden onset chest pain a serious warning sign
In case of sudden chest pain most people understandably are afraid and the complaints should always be taken seriously. Holger Thiele, Director of the University Department of Cardiology - HELIOS Endowed Professorship at the Heart Center Leipzig. Because it can be very serious illnesses trigger the symptoms that require immediate medical care.

Frequently, sudden onset of chest pain is a first indication of severe heart disease such as acute myocardial infarction or tears in the main artery (aortic dissection), the expert reports. They may also be the result of a pulmonary embolism. "In order to prevent life-threatening complications, immediate diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment are needed in these cases," emphasizes Professor Dr. med. Thiele.

If there is a heart valve defect, even the smallest efforts can become agony. The patients get e.g. no more air at the stairs. (Image: Photographee.eu/fotolia.com)

Fast diagnosis can save lives
The fastest possible and reliable diagnosis is also beneficial for sudden chest pain with more benign causes as it can significantly help calm the sufferer. In severe heart disease, the early diagnosis can also decide on life and death. Already since 2007, a so-called "Chest Pain Unit" (chest pain ambulance) is operated at the Heart Center Leipzig for emergencies with sudden chest pain, in which patients can be helped around the clock, seven days a week.

150 patients with chest pain per week
According to the cardiologist, "up to 150 patients come to the Chest Pain Unit on a weekly basis and are looked after competently and intensively by a well-rehearsed team, regardless of the regular patient operation." In addition to the existing staffing facilities and the constant availability of a cardiac catheterization laboratory, The Chest Pain Unit offers more than eight monitoring stations with direct proximity to Germany's largest internistic / cardiological intensive care unit as well as a permanent connection to a laboratory and all the possibilities of diagnostic imaging.

Excellent work to the highest quality standards
Only a few weeks ago, the Chest Pain Unit was recertified as such. "Due to the special structure of the heart center, the close cooperation of all clinics and departments as well as the more than ten years of experience with the Chest Pain Unit, we have all the necessary prerequisites to be able to treat those affected in the best possible way," stresses Professor Thiele. Last but not least, the recertification of the Chest Pain Unit by the German Society of Cardiology, which was carried out a few weeks ago, is a proof of "excellent work according to the highest quality standards," according to Professor Thiele.

The life-saving work of the Chest Pain Unit should not only be continued in the same quality, but also constantly improved. "In the future, we will continue to optimize our treatment pathways in order to be able to identify patients with a high risk more quickly and treat them more individually," explains the Leipzig cardiologist. (Fp)