CHEST PAIN 135
Do you have a fever – a temperature of 100.4 ° F( 38 ° C) or above?
Fever
No fever
Is the chest sore to touch?
Sore to touch
Not sore to touch
Does the pain have any of the following features?
Related to eating or to particular foods
Relieved by antacids
Brought on by bending or lying down
None of the above
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have a partially collapsed lung.
Does either of the following apply?
You have had a chest injury
You have been exercising
Neither
ACTION
SEE YOUR DOCTOR WITHIN 24 HOURS You may have a lung infection or pleurisy.
• Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen to relieve pain and fever.
• If you have a fever, drink lots of fluid.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR You may have recurrent indigestion or heartburn caused by acid reflux.
ACTION
CALL YOUR DOCTOR NOW You may have a chest infection, such as pneumonia.
• Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen to reduce fever and chest pain.
• Drink lots of fluid.
ACTION
TRY SELF-HELP MEASURES You have probably strained and / or bruised a muscle.
• Take an analgesic such as acetaminophen and rest for 24 hours.
CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR if the pain has not improved after this time.
ACTION
MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TO SEE YOUR DOCTOR if you cannot identify a possible cause for your chest pain from this chart.
ACTION
DIAL 911 OR CALL EMS
! You may be having a heart attack.
• While waiting, chew half an aspirin, unless you are allergic to it.