Chest pain can originate from chest wall (bone, muscle or skin), esophagus, heart, lungs, tissue linings surrounding the lungs (the inflammation of which is known as pleurisy or pleuritis). Sometimes problems with neck, spine, gall bladder, liver or stomach may also cause chest pain. Usually it is difficult to decide what to do when you have chest pain. The main concern is rule out life threatening conditions like heart attack, blood clots in the lungs (pulmonary embolism) and tear in the main artery (aortic dissection).
Besides a detailed history and physical examination, following are the usual investigations done to find out the cause of chest pain:
1. Electrocardiogram
2. Chest X-ray
3. Blood tests to look for infections, inflammation, blood clots and certain enzymes found in heart muscle.
4. Sputum examination to look for infections.
5. Based on above test results, further advanced diagnostic tests like stress test, CT scan, ultrasound and cardiac catheterization may be needed.
Pleutal Effusion. means there is fluid in the lung
Other wise could be heart related, fluid around the heart. My husbands is a nurse and he thinks she may have fluid in/ around her heart or lungs.
he says there is a special word but it could also be a friction rub in the myocardium. hope all turns out well.