Chest pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek cardiac evaluation, and one of the most important not to ignore. At Heart Health of the South Shore, Dr. David Hersh uses advanced cardiac diagnostics to identify the cause of chest pain and determine whether it signals an underlying heart condition that needs immediate attention.

Not all chest pain means a heart attack. But chest pain that occurs with exertion, radiates to the arm, jaw, or back, or comes with shortness of breath and sweating can indicate a serious cardiovascular problem that requires evaluation by a cardiologist. Dr. Hersh provides that evaluation for patients across Bellmore, Merrick, Wantagh, Seaford, and the surrounding South Shore communities, using the same diagnostic tools cardiologists rely on to assess active heart disease.

Angina is chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It is one of the most common heart disease symptoms and a warning sign that the coronary arteries may be narrowing due to plaque buildup, a condition called coronary artery disease. Understanding what angina is and recognizing angina symptoms early can prevent a heart attack before it happens.

Angina symptoms typically include pressure, squeezing, tightness, or heaviness in the chest. The discomfort may spread to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back. Some patients experience shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, or dizziness alongside chest discomfort. Angina symptoms often occur during physical exertion, emotional stress, or after heavy meals and subside with rest.

There are two main types. Stable angina follows a predictable pattern triggered by activity or stress and resolves with rest. Unstable angina occurs unpredictably, at rest, or with increasing frequency and severity. Unstable angina is a medical emergency and may indicate an imminent heart attack.

Dr. Hersh does not treat chest pain based on assumptions. Every evaluation at Heart Health of the South Shore follows a structured diagnostic process designed to identify the specific cause and severity of your symptoms.

Step 1: Clinical Evaluation and EKG Dr. Hersh begins with a detailed review of your symptoms, medical history, and family history, followed by a physical examination. An EKG is performed in the office to assess the heart's electrical activity, which can reveal signs of reduced blood flow, prior heart damage, or rhythm abnormalities that may explain your chest pain.

Step 2: Advanced Cardiac Testing. Depending on your initial results, Dr. Hersh may order additional testing to build a more complete picture. This can include an echocardiogram to evaluate cardiac structure and function, a cardiac stress test to assess how the heart performs under physical demand, blood tests to check cardiac enzymes, cholesterol, and inflammatory markers, or a chest X-ray to rule out non-cardiac causes.

Step 3: Angiography and Angioplasty When Needed If testing suggests significant coronary artery blockage, Dr. Hersh may recommend angiography, a minimally invasive procedure that uses a thin catheter and contrast dye to visualize the coronary arteries in real time. If a blockage is found during angiography, an angioplasty can often be performed during the same procedure. Angioplasty uses a small balloon to compress plaque against the arterial wall, followed by placement of a stent to maintain arterial patency and restore normal blood flow.