Chest Pain

Dear Patient, The following instructions contain general information and advice regarding your condition and are designed to provide you with a guide on how best to safeguard your health. However, they are not intended to be exhaustive instructions. In specific cases you may receive different/additional instructions from your doctor. You are advised to follow any specific written or oral instructions given to you by your doctor or healthcare worker. Please seek clarification in case of doubt.

General information

• Your physical examination and investigations such as ECG and blood tests did not show any evidence of a serious or life threatening condition that could have caused your chest pain.
• However, the signs of a serious problem may take more time to appear.

Activity / Rehabilitation

• Get plenty of rest. Avoid strenuous activities.
  
• You may continue with your normal activities as tolerated. Avoid activities that bring on the pain or cause the pain to worsen.
• Do not smoke.
  

Nutrition / Diet

• Avoid alcohol and beverages containing caffeine.
• Avoid taking large meals or meals high in fat.

Safe and effective use of medication

• Take the prescribed medications as explained to you by the pharmacist

What can cause chest pain?

Heart attack is one of the most feared causes of chest pain. However, there are other causes of chest pain which are not related to the heart, such as:

• Muscle ache or strain
• Chest infection or prolonged coughing
• Heartburn or acid reflux
• Stress or anxiety
  

When to seek further treatment at the Emergency Department

Please return immediately if any of the following occurs:

• Pain in the center of your chest or pain that spreads to the arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw or abdomen. 
• Increased chest pain or chest pain that does not improve within 24 hours.
• Chest pain lasts more than 10 minutes at rest.
• Chest pain is not relieved by prescribed medications.
• Chest pain is accompanied by sweating, nausea, difficulty in breathing rapid and/or irregular heartbeat.
• The chest pain increases with physical exertion such as walking, climbing stairs or carrying heavy objects. 
• Your skin, fingers or toes appear blue or grey.
• Coughing up blood.
  
• Dizziness or weakness.
  
• DO NOT DRIVE to the hospital. Call an ambulance immediately.

Follow – Up Appointment

• Report to the doctor at the Specialist Outpatient Clinic for a follow-up on the appointment date and time given.
• For any change of appointment(s), please call 
  -Singapore General Hospital appointment hotline at 6321 4377 OR email to [email protected].
  -Sengkang General Hospital appointment hotline at 6930 6000 OR email to appointments@skh.com.sg