Differential Diagnosis For Chest Pain: Organ Systems

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to covering the differential diagnosis for chest pain by organizing conditions by organ systems.

Chest pain is an important chief complaint in the realm of medicine! (source)
Chest pain is an important chief complaint in the realm of medicine! (source)
WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ORGAN SYSTEMS THAT CAN BE INVOLVED?

Organizing our differential by organ system is an easy way to try and clearly categorize diseases!

When building the differential for abdominal pain we can organize it by organ system (source)
When building the differential for chest pain we can organize it by organ system (source)

When thinking about the differential for chest pain the following organ systems come to mind:

  • Cardiovascular 
  • Respiratory 
  • Gastrointestinal (GI) 
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Dermatological
CARDIOVASCULAR CAUSES OF CEHST PAIN

Given the anatomical location of the heart, patients who present with chest pain could have many conditions that relate to this organ system.

The cardiovascular system is always very important to keep in mind when patients present with chest pain (source)
The cardiovascular system is always very important to keep in mind when patients present with chest pain (source)

Most dangerous/can’t miss diagnosis: these should arguably be ruled out in most all patients. This rule out process does not always have to be extensive (elements of the HPI, the physical exam, routine studies all can be used).

Other diagnosis: these may not necessarily be the MOST dangerous, however they still require consideration in patients with this presentation and some can be quite serious.

RESPIRATORY CAUSES OF CHEST PAIN

Given the anatomical location of the lungs, patients who present with chest pain could have many conditions that relate to this organ system.

The respiratory system is a very important organ system to consider in patients with chest pain (source)
The respiratory system is a very important organ system to consider in patients with chest pain (source)

Most dangerous/can’t miss diagnosis: these should arguably be ruled out in most all patients. This rule out process does not always have to be extensive (elements of the HPI, the physical exam, routine studies all can be used).

Other diagnosis: these may not necessarily be the MOST dangerous, however they still require consideration in patients with this presentation and some can be quite serious.

  • Pleural effusion 
  • Pneumonia
GASTROINTESTINAL CAUSES OF CEHST PAIN

Given the anatomical location of the GI system (especially the esophagus), patients who present with chest pain could have many conditions that relate to this organ system.

The gastrointestinal system is always very important to consider in patients presenting with abdominal pain (source)
The gastrointestinal system can be  important to consider in patients presenting with chest pain (source)

Most dangerous/can’t miss diagnosis: these should arguably be ruled out in most all patients. This rule out process does not always have to be extensive (elements of the HPI, the physical exam, routine studies all can be used).

Other diagnosis: these may not necessarily be the MOST dangerous, however they still require consideration in patients with this presentation and some can be quite serious.

MUSCULOSKELETAL CAUSES OF CEHST PAIN

Given that the chest is covered by components of the musculoskeletal system patients who present with chest pain could have many conditions that relate to this organ system.

The musculoskeletal system can sometimes be involved as a cause of chest pain (source)
The musculoskeletal system can sometimes be involved as a cause of chest pain (source)

Important diagnosis to consider when thinking about the role of the musculoskeletal system in causing chest pain are.

  • Rib fracture
  • Muscle strain
DERMATOLOGICAL CAUSES OF CEHST PAIN

Given that the chest is covered by components of the dermatological system patients who present with chest pain could have many conditions that relate to this organ system.

The dermatological system can also sometimes be involved when considering the cause of chest pain (source)
The dermatological system can also sometimes be involved when considering the cause of chest pain (source)

Diagnosis to consider in this organ system are:

 

Page Updated: 09.08.2016