The RushOutpatientChestPainCenter is the only center of its kind in Chicago to provide patients with a cardiac chest pain evaluation and heart attack risk assessment in a single visit. With the expertise of Rush's cardiologists, you will receive a thorough assessment of your risk factors and overall heart health.
Patients first meet with a cardiologist to review their medical history, and then receive multiple heart tests, as appropriate, which may include:
blood work
EKG
stress echocardiogram
heart scan
64-slice CT angiogram
(Fasting is required for the testing.)
Following the tests, patients will meet with the physician that same morning to discuss findings regarding chest pain and receive recommendations to reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event.
Rush, as a leader in the management of acute coronary syndromes, is the first hospital in Chicago to be designated an accredited chest pain center by the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Find out more about what it means to be a chest pain center.
Rush also offers many clinical trials not available at other area hospitals, including one investigation using stem cells from a patient's own body to improve cardiac function or grow new blood vessels. Which means, patients at Rush are offered access to the latest methods for diagnosing and treating heart disease. Find out more about our clinical trials.
Appointments are available Monday through Friday. To make an appointment, please call (888) 352-RUSH (7874).
Chest pain is discomfort or pain that you feel anywhere along the front of your body between your neck and upper abdomen.
According to the American Heart Association, here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the chest of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs. These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting and back or jaw pain.
If you or someone you are with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1. ... Get to a hospital right away.
Bob was climbing a hill last summer when a severe pain in his chest brought him to his knees. When his primary care doctor referred him to a cardiologist, he was told that testing and getting results could take weeks. He opted for the Outpatient Chest Pain Center at Rush, where patients can come in, have a thorough evaluation completed in the morning, then meet with the doctor and get results by the afternoon.
Cardiology
Cardiovascular Diseases
Heart and Vascular Programs
Clinical Services