Chest Pain Specialist

Florida Hearts

Board Certified Cardiologist located in Ocala, FL & Chiefland, FL

Though chest pain may occur from an array of causes, it’s not a symptom you should ignore. If you have concerns that your chest pain may be a sign of cardiovascular disease, Ravindra Kolaventy, MD, FACC, a board-certified cardiologist, and the team at Florida Hearts can provide the help you need. The state-of-the-art practice offers same-day assessments and treatments. Call the office in Chiefland, The Villages, or Ocala, Florida, or book an appointment online today.

Chest Pain Q & A

What is chest pain?

Chest pain refers to any discomfort located between your neck and diaphragm. The pain may be sudden and sharp or dull and achy. You may also feel a burning sensation or pain that radiates into your neck or arms.

Chest pain may develop from many causes. However, the discomfort most often develops because of problems related to the heart or lungs. Because chest pain may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition, it’s not something you should ignore.

If your chest pain is sudden and severe, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room. For non-urgent cardiac needs, the team at Florida Hearts can provide the answers you need with same-day assessments and treatments on-site.

What causes chest pain?

Many conditions may cause chest pain, including heartburn, anxiety, and muscle strains. However, chest pain often develops from a heart-related condition such as:

Coronary heart disease
Arrhythmia
Heart failure
Pericarditis
Angina
Heart attack

With heart-related chest pain, your symptoms may include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pressure, or severe pain that radiates to your arm or neck.

How is chest pain diagnosed?

Florida Hearts is a state-of-the-art cardiology practice that offers on-site testing and treatment. When you come in with complaints of chest pain, the team conducts a thorough evaluation to provide an accurate diagnosis.

During the exam, your cardiologist reviews your symptoms, medical history, family history, and general lifestyle habits. Then, they conduct a physical exam and may request diagnostic testing to confirm or rule out a suspected diagnosis.

Some of the diagnostic testing available at Florida Hearts includes:

Electrocardiogram (EKG)
X-rays
Stress test
CT/PET (computer tomography/positron emission tomography) scan
Echocardiogram
Cardiac catheterization

Your provider may also request blood work to assess general health and screen for cardiac-related health issues such as high cholesterol.

How is chest pain treated?

The team at Florida Hearts develops personalized treatment plans for chest pain based on the underlying cause. Initially, the team takes a conservative approach and may recommend:

Heart-healthy diet
Exercise program
Weight loss if you’re overweight or obese
Smoking cessation
Disease-specific medication
External counterpulsation (ECP) therapy

If you continue to experience chest pain after the implementation of your conservative treatment plan, the team may recommend surgical intervention such as atherectomy, angioplasty and stenting, or coronary bypass surgery.

Florida Hearts can diagnose and treat many conditions on the same day. To schedule an appointment, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.