Chest pain is a symptom that occurs that is suggestive of myocardial ishcemia. Myocardial ischemia is decreased blood flow to the heart as a result of coronary artery obstruction or spasm. Usually cardiac chest pain is worst with exertion and tends to occur in the midsternal or midepigatric region. The chest pain or discomfort is often heavy in nature and is sometimes defined by the patient as ;"An Elephant was sitting on my chest and I could not breathe"

       Chest Pain on exertion is a warning sign that an individual may be predisposed to a heart attack . A heart attack is medically known as a myocardial infarction. In a myocardial infarction there has been enough decrease in blood flow through the coronary arteries to cause myocardial or heart damage. The amount of myocardial damage that occurs is determined by the time of onset of the occlussion, which vessel is occluded and the time to treatment and relief of the occlussion. Other factors play a role as well. Loss of myocardium is loss of Heart muscle. Remember that the heart is a pump that pumps blood to the rest of the body so that loss of heart muscle can ultimately effect other organs of the body and one's feeling of well being. Complete loss of blood flow to the heart is fatal.

It is important as a patient to seek medical care as soon as possible to have all symptoms of chest pain evaluated by a physician.