Evaluation of chest pain: a cardiology perspective for gastroenterologists.

Evidence indicates that there is a strong cardioesophageal connection inpatients who experience esophageal or ischemic problems. Cardiologists and gastroenterologists often find the coexistence of symptoms and functional abnormalities, but determining causation is much more difficult. There isa need for better understanding of the phenomenon of cardiac and NCCP,among cardiologists and gastroenterologists. In evaluating chest pain, the cardiologist assesses the probability that the condition is acute and life threatening; serious and chronic; or noncardiac in nature. If it seems to be cardiac chest pain, appropriate therapy is initiated. In patients in whom there is a strong suspicion of NCCP, a PPI is often prescribed, or the patient is referred to a gastroenterologist or a primary care physician for further evaluation.