Hospitals set up chest pain clinics for quicker treatment

Local hospitals have set up special chest pain clinic in emergency department for quicker and more acute diagnosis and treatment.

There are various causes for chest pain and those with serious condition can be fatal. Over 1 million people die of acute chest pain in the nation every year, said officials from Shanghai No.6 People’s Hospital, which set up a 24-hour chest pain clinic equipped with experienced specialists.

After operating for one month, the clinic has received over 1,000 patients with chest pain and conducted over 40 emergency surgeries on coronary diseases.

Dr Shen Chengxing said many patients and family members have poor awareness on chest pain.

“About one-third of chest pain cases are highly risky, usually involving in critical condition like acute coronary syndrome, acute aortic dissection and acute pulmonary embolism. All these conditions are developing very quickly and have very high mortality,” he said.

In clinical practice, many patients with chest pain are confused about which department they should go. A professional chest pain clinic can help doctor identity those with highly risky condition for emergency diagnosis and treatment with involvement of all necessary departments.