Chest Pain Clinic - Markham Stouffville Hospital

What is chest pain
Chest pain is an uncomfortable or
painful feeling in your chest. It can be
caused by coronary artery disease or
other heart conditions. It can also be
caused by digestive conditions, lung
and breathing conditions and
musculoskeletal conditions.
This pain has recently brought you to
the emergency department at Markham
Stouffville Hospital where the
emergency physician has ruled out
immediate danger of a heart attack.
You should be seen in the Chest Pain
Clinic within 48 to 72 hours of
discharge from the emergency
department to determine if the chest
pain was caused by coronary artery
disease. Coronary artery disease
(CAD) is a narrowing of the arteries to
the heart that decreases blood flow. If
not diagnosed and treated CAD can
lead to a heart attack.
The Chest Pain Clinic goals
We will provide you with rapid access to a
team of professionals that are specialized
in diagnosing the cause of your chest pain
and treating your condition.
The health-care team has the equipment,
knowledge and time to assess and treat
you in one visit. You may require one
follow-up visit and future follow-up will
occur with your family doctor or a
cardiologist as appropriate.
At the Chest Pain Clinic you will:
Meet with a cardiac nurse
practitioner and the cardiologist to
assess your chest pain and make
your treatment plan.
Undergo non-invasive cardiac
testing to assess the presence of
CAD.
Get information to help you control
and reduce your symptoms.
Hear about lifestyle changes to
reduce your risk of heart disease.
Be recommended treatment and
advanced diagnostic testing such as
medication, nuclear perfusion
imaging, angioplasty, cardiac
surgery or cardiac rehab.
The Chest Pain Clinic provides
one-stop coordinated care
On your first visit you will have a
stress test and echocardiogram to
assist the team with making a
diagnosis.
The nurse practitioner will provide
your initial assessment and will
document your history, risk factors
and current medication. They will
measure your blood pressure, pulse
and body mass index.
The cardiologist will then interpret
your stress test and echocardiogram
with you and will review your medical
history and make recommendations
about your treatment.