Chest Discomfort and Tired All the Time? Your Next Steps in Arlington, TX
Chest Discomfort and Tired All the Time? Your Next Steps in Arlington, TX
If you’ve been feeling constantly tired and notice a heavy or uncomfortable sensation in your chest, it’s completely understandable to feel concerned. These symptoms can feel worrying, especially when they don’t go away and you find yourself out of breath. You’re not alone in wanting answers and guidance about what might be causing this and how to get help. The good news is you’re taking the right first step by looking up your symptoms and seeking clear information.
This post will guide you through the important next steps: who you might consider seeing based on your symptoms, what kinds of tests or office visits you might expect, and how much these might typically cost in Arlington, TX. Having this information can help you approach your healthcare with more confidence and preparedness.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Arlington, TX
Given your symptoms of chest discomfort and persistent tiredness, several types of healthcare providers could be a good place to start:
- Family Practice Doctor: A generalist who diagnoses and treats a wide range of health issues. They are a great first step to evaluate your overall health, order initial tests, and refer you to specialists if needed.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: Similar to family practice, these doctors focus on adult health and can manage complex conditions, particularly relating to chronic illnesses.
- Cardiologist: A heart specialist who can assess and treat heart-related causes of chest discomfort and fatigue. If your symptoms suggest a heart condition, seeing a cardiologist will be important.
- Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist: A cardiologist sub-specialist focusing on heart rhythm problems, who might be consulted if your symptoms point towards electrical issues in your heart.
- Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology: This specialist focuses on severe heart conditions, including heart failure. They are typically seen after initial evaluations suggest advanced heart disease.
Starting with a family practice or internal medicine doctor is often best, since they can coordinate your care and refer you to heart specialists if necessary.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
Here’s a breakdown of common procedures or visits by provider type in Arlington, TX, along with estimated self-pay costs to help you prepare.
Visit with a Family Practice Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: This is a standard visit where your doctor will talk with you about your symptoms, review your medical history, and perform a physical exam to help find what’s causing your fatigue and chest discomfort.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $191.68 (typically ranges from $143.76 to $239.60)
Provider Availability: Based on 502 providers in Arlington, TX -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads with interpretation and report (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: An ECG records the electrical activity of your heart to check for any irregular rhythms or signs of heart problems.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $25.70 (typically ranges from $16.94 to $34.46)
Provider Availability: 90 providers -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: A blood test that can check for anemia or infection, which could explain fatigue.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.22 (typically ranges from $9.11 to $15.34)
Provider Availability: 41 providers -
Procedure: Comprehensive blood chemical panel (CPT Code: 80053)
Purpose: This blood test screens your overall health and organ function, including kidney and liver checks that can impact energy levels.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $18.29 (typically ranges from $12.08 to $24.49)
Provider Availability: 38 providers
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Similar to family practice, an internal medicine doctor will evaluate your general health and symptoms to guide further testing or treatment.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $191.87 (typically ranges from $143.90 to $239.84)
Provider Availability: 364 providers -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Heart rhythm and electrical activity check.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $25.52 (typically ranges from $16.94 to $34.09)
Provider Availability: 90 providers -
Procedure: Thyroid stimulating hormone blood test (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: This blood test checks your thyroid function, as it can influence your energy levels and cause fatigue.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.30 (typically ranges from $19.73 to $32.88)
Provider Availability: 41 providers -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CBC) (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: To check for infection, anemia, or other blood-related issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.14 (typically ranges from $9.11 to $15.18)
Provider Availability: 45 providers -
Procedure: Comprehensive metabolic panel (CPT Code: 80053)
Purpose: Evaluates multiple organ systems potentially linked to fatigue or chest symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $18.04 (typically ranges from $12.38 to $23.70)
Provider Availability: 44 providers
Visit with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Cardiologists focus directly on heart health, assessing chest discomfort and fatigue possibly caused by heart disease.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $188.32 (typically ranges from $141.24 to $235.40)
Provider Availability: 138 providers -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Check your heart’s rhythm and electrical signals.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.38 (typically ranges from $16.98 to $41.78)
Provider Availability: 109 providers -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart (echocardiogram) with color blood flow and valve function (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: This ultrasound test helps visualize how well your heart pumps and how your valves work, which is important for diagnosing many heart conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $150.05 (typically ranges from $104.54 to $195.56)
Provider Availability: 122 providers -
Procedure: Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test with ECG (CPT Code: 93015)
Purpose: Measures how your heart performs under stress to identify issues that might not appear at rest.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $112.42 (typically ranges from $75.16 to $149.68)
Provider Availability: 53 providers -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart during rest, exercise, or drug stress with report (CPT Code: 93350)
Purpose: Combines ultrasound with stress testing to check how your heart responds to exertion.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $109.52 (typically ranges from $82.14 to $136.90)
Provider Availability: 3 providers
Visit with a Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology Specialist
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Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Focuses on diagnosing and treating heart rhythm disorders that could cause chest discomfort or tiredness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $193.76 (typically ranges from $145.32 to $242.20)
Provider Availability: 22 providers -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: To check the heart’s rhythm for abnormalities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.83 (typically ranges from $16.82 to $30.84)
Provider Availability: 17 providers -
Procedure: Echocardiogram with color blood flow (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: Ultrasound imaging to visualize heart structure and function.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $157.84 (typically ranges from $95.06 to $220.62)
Provider Availability: 10 providers -
Procedure: Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test (CPT Code: 93015)
Purpose: Assess heart function under stress conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $112.47 (typically ranges from $73.84 to $151.10)
Provider Availability: 3 providers
Visit with Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology
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Procedure: New patient office or other outpatient visit, 60-74 minutes (CPT Code: 99205)
Purpose: A longer and more detailed visit for complex heart conditions including heart failure, if indicated after initial evaluations.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $315.60 (typically ranges from $236.70 to $394.50)
Provider Availability: 3 providers -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Heart rhythm check.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $30.10 (typically ranges from $16.60 to $43.60)
Provider Availability: 3 providers -
Procedure: Echocardiogram with color blood flow (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: Detailed imaging of heart’s blood flow and valves.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $105.95 (typically ranges from $79.46 to $132.44)
Provider Availability: 3 providers -
Procedure: Exercise or drug-induced heart stress test (CPT Code: 93015)
Purpose: Evaluate heart under stress.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $96.32 (typically ranges from $72.24 to $120.40)
Provider Availability: 1 provider -
Procedure: Ultrasound of heart blood flow, valves and chambers (CPT Code: 93320)
Purpose: Check detailed heart structure and function.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $27.70 (typically ranges from $20.77 to $34.62)
Provider Availability: 1 provider
Your Recommended Next Steps
While your symptoms can feel concerning, the best next step is to consult with a qualified healthcare professional who can evaluate your individual situation in person. Here’s what you can do:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor to start, or go directly to a Cardiologist if you feel your symptoms strongly suggest a heart issue.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down all your symptoms, including how long they’ve lasted, how often they occur, and any other relevant health information or questions you want to ask.
- Discuss Costs: When you book your appointment, ask about expected costs and whether they accept your insurance or offer self-pay pricing similar to the estimates above.
- Stay Positive: Seeking professional advice is the right and empowering step for your health. Early evaluation often leads to peace of mind or timely treatment.
Need Help Navigating Your Options?
Finding affordable, trustworthy care can be confusing, especially if you’re uninsured or new to the system. That’s why we built Transparent Health: a tool to help you understand your options and find the right provider for your needs.
Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not provide medical advice. If you experience severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, or sudden weakness, call emergency services immediately. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.