Relief options for chest pain depend on the cause. Some causes require serious medical treatment such as surgery, whereas others are less serious and may require medication. Some causes may even resolve on their own.

Oxygen is given to patients who come in with chest pain, to increase the oxygen supply to heart. In addition, a variety of medications may be prescribed to treat chest pain. Cardiac chest pain may be treated with drugs including:

• Aspirin. This nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) reduces blood clotting. As a result, blood flow through narrowed heart arteries may be maintained. Aspirin may be recommended to relieve angina or prevent second heart attacks.
  
  
• Morphine. This opioid may be used to ease severe chest pain, usually associated with a cardiac cause.
  
  
• Nitroglycerin. Typically prescribed to prevent angina, this drug temporarily opens narrowed blood vessels. As a result, blood flow to and from the heart is improved.
  
  
• Beta blockers. These drugs reduce the workload of the heart and lower blood pressure. They may be used to treat patients with angina or to prevent additional heart attacks.
  
  
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors. Also known as ACE inhibitors, these drugs widen blood vessels and lower blood pressure by blocking production of angiotensin II, a substance that causes blood vessels to tighten and regulates blood pressure. They may be used after a heart attack to increase survival rates.
  
  
• Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). These drugs widen blood vessels by preventing angiotensin II from entering angiotensin II receptors.
  
  
• Calcium channel blockers. These drugs block the movement of calcium ions into heart cells and blood vessels. This increases the supply of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, lowers blood pressure and reduces the heart’s workload. They may be used to treat angina.
  
  
• Clot-busting drugs. These drugs are used to dissolve or break up a blood clot. They may be used to lessen long-term damage from a heart attack.

In addition to medication, angina and heart attack may be treated with a number of other methods, including:

• Angioplasty. A procedure in which a balloon is used to widen narrowed or blocked blood vessels of the heart (coronary arteries). This improves blood flow to the heart.
  
  
• Coronary bypass surgery. This procedure is used to create new passages for blood to travel to the heart muscle. Arteries or veins taken from other areas of the body are used to reroute, or bypass, blood around a clogged artery. This improves blood flow to the heart.
  
  
• Enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP). Performed in a series of sessions lasting over several weeks, this method involves inflating pressure cuffs that are placed on the legs. This causes blood vessels in the legs to compress, forcing blood back to the heart.
  
  
• Stenting. A procedure in which a wire mesh tube is inserted through a catheter and placed in an artery to hold it open. It is usually performed immediately after angioplasty.

In addition to heart attacks, other life-threatening conditions will require emergency medical treatment. Patients experiencing pulmonary embolism may require treatment with emergency anticoagulants. Aortic dissection, another emergency, may require surgery. Patients diagnosed with cancer will be referred to an oncologist for the appropriate treatment.

In most cases, chest pain is not related to a life-threatening heart or lung condition. Pain management options for less serious causes include:

• Heartburn. This condition may be relieved with over-the-counter or prescription-strength stomach acid blocker or antacid. Chronic heartburn may require dietary modifications and surgery.
  
  
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Many prescription medications are available, including acid reducers, promotility agents, prokinetic agents, foam barriers and histamine H2 receptor blockers. Avoiding certain foods, such as citrus or tomato products, helps some individuals. Several surgical options are available if noninvasive measures fail.
  
  
• Anxiety. Patients suffering from anxiety may benefit from prescription anti-anxiety medications, relaxation techniques and psychological counseling.
  
  
• Pleurisy. Over-the-counter pain relievers (analgesics) may be recommended to relieve chest pain caused by pleurisy.
  
  
• Costochondritis. Patients with this condition may relieve chest pain with rest, heat (thermotherapy), NSAIDs) (e.g., ibuprofen) and corticosteroid injection into the joint for severe pain.
  
  
• Shingles. This condition may be relieved with antiviral medication. Analgesics and antihistamines may also be prescribed to control pain and itching.
  
  
• Gallbladder or pancreas disorders. Surgery may be recommended to relieve chest pain caused by an inflamed gallbladder or pancreas.
  
  
• Muscle strain. Muscle-related chest pain may be relieved with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, ice (cryotherapy), heat and rest.
  
  
• Back conditions. Treatment options may include physical therapy, medications, corticosteroid injections and back surgery.

Patients with chronic conditions, such as asthma, can benefit from taking their medications exactly as prescribed by their physicians. This may prevent flare-ups of the condition and related chest pain.

Treatments that may be recommended for chronic chest pain include cognitive behavioral therapy and biofeedback.