How Can You Tell if Chest Pain Is an Emergency?

Chest pain is something that your elderly family member might experience for a variety of reasons. If she’s been sick, for example, she may experience chest pain due to lung issues. But it’s important to know when her pain is an emergency with which your senior needs urgent medical assistance.

Your Senior Has a History of Heart Disease

A history of heart disease or other cardiac problems can be a red flag for your senior. Make sure that you know as much as possible about your senior’s family history, especially in terms of heart health. If she’s experiencing chest pains, it’s always important to err on the side of caution rather than just chalking it up to something less serious. A call or visit to her doctor could make a huge difference for her if something is happening.

Your Senior Has Multiple Risk Factors for Coronary Issues

If your elderly family member has additional risk factors for heart problems, she could experience cardiac issues with little notice. Some of those additional risk factors include smoking, high cholesterol, or high blood pressure. Other health issues, like diabetes, can also be a concern. Make sure that you understand how your elderly family member’s prior and current health relate to her heart health.

She’s Experiencing Some Distinct Additional Symptoms

Chest pain in and of itself might not be an emergency, but other symptoms alongside chest pain can be a big deal. Some of the symptoms you should watch for can include nausea, trouble breathing, dizziness, or fainting. Talk with your elderly family member’s doctor about what else she should be aware of in particular.

The Pain Is Getting Worse

If the pain starts out mild and then worsens over the next few minutes, that’s a sign that your senior should not ignore. Again, this is a situation in which you don’t want to push your fears aside with thoughts that you don’t want to waste a call to your senior’s doctor. Pain that worsens, especially over the span of just a few minutes, is something to take very seriously.

If you know that your elderly family member is at risk of experiencing a cardiac event of some sort, you might want to consider hiring elderly care providers to be there when you can’t be there. They can watch for signs of problems for your aging adult and you’ll have the peace of mind of knowing that she’s not alone.

If you or an aging loved one are considering elderly care in Manalapan, NJ, please contact the caring staff at Care Street Home Care Serving Somerset and Middlesex/Union Counties today. Call (732) 607-8870.