Heart Health Series | Part 2: Understanding Chest Pain

Chest pain is one of the most common and most confusing symptoms patients experience. In Part 2 of the Heart Health Series, Dr. Michelle Plaster and Nurse Practitioner Amber Foster are once again joined by cardiologist Dr. Marcus Sims to answer one critical question: How do you know when chest pain is a heart attack and when it’s something else?

This episode walks listeners through the real-world decision-making process doctors use when evaluating chest pain. Dr. Sims explains the different types of chest discomfort, how risk factors like diabetes, family history, and lifestyle influence concern, and why women often experience symptoms differently than men.

You’ll learn:

• What chest pain related to the heart typically feels like—and what it doesn’t
• Why symptoms in women are often missed or dismissed
• When chest pain requires emergency care versus further outpatient testing
• How stress tests, cardiac CT scans, and other diagnostics are used
• Why early evaluation can prevent major cardiac events

With relatable patient stories and clear explanations, this episode empowers listeners to trust their instincts, understand their risk, and know when to seek care—without panic or guesswork.

This is Part 2 of a 3-part Heart Health Series. In the final episode, Dr. Sims will help listeners understand what happens after a diagnosis and how heart disease is treated long-term.

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