Chest Pain and Tiredness? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Houston, TX
Chest Pain and Tiredness? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Houston, TX
If you’ve been feeling very tired lately and sometimes experience pain in your chest, especially when climbing stairs, it’s natural to feel concerned. Adding to that, having heavy legs and unusual yellowish bumps near your eyes can feel confusing and worrying. Many people search for answers when they experience these symptoms, and you’re not alone. Chest pain is especially important to take seriously, and knowing the best next step can help ease your mind and get you the care you need.
This post will guide you through understanding what types of healthcare providers you might want to see in Houston, TX, the common tests and visits they may recommend, and an idea of the costs you might expect if you are paying out of pocket. You’re in the right place to learn how to move forward safely and confidently.
Who to See for Your Symptoms in Houston, TX
Based on your symptoms of chest pain, tiredness, heavy legs, and unusual skin bumps near your eyes, here are a few types of doctors you might consider starting with:
- Family Practice Doctor: A general healthcare provider who can evaluate a wide range of symptoms, perform initial tests, and refer you to specialists if needed. They are often the best first contact.
- Internal Medicine Doctor: A specialist in adult health who can carefully assess complex symptoms and manage multiple health concerns with detailed testing.
- Cardiologist: A heart specialist who can evaluate chest pain and related symptoms, ensuring your heart is healthy and ordering diagnostic heart tests if needed.
- Dermatologist: A skin specialist who can examine the unusual yellow bumps near your eyes to diagnose and treat skin-related issues.
Each of these providers offers a helpful service depending on which symptoms you want to prioritize first, and they often work together to give you a complete picture of your health.
What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs
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 general visit where your doctor will review your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and discuss your medical history to help identify the cause of your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $195.94 (typically ranges from $146.95 to $244.92)
This estimate is based on 511 providers in the Houston area. -
Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) using at least 12 leads (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: A quick test recording your heart’s electrical activity to detect heart problems that might cause chest pain or tiredness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.25 (typically ranges from $17.44 to $31.06)
This estimate is based on 108 providers in Houston. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: A blood test checking red and white blood cells and platelets, giving clues about infections or anemia that could make you feel tired or affect your legs.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.11 (typically ranges from $9.08 to $15.14)
This estimate is based on 55 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) (CPT Code: 84443)
Purpose: Checks your thyroid function, as thyroid problems can cause tiredness and other symptoms you described.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $26.27 (typically ranges from $19.70 to $32.84)
This estimate is based on 50 providers. -
Procedure: X-ray of chest, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: A simple imaging test to look for lung or heart conditions that may cause chest discomfort or tiredness.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $52.54 (typically ranges from $39.41 to $65.68)
This estimate is based on 32 providers.
Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor
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Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A focused exam on your symptoms with a specialist trained in adult diseases, ideal if your symptoms are more complex or persistent.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.75 (typically ranges from $146.06 to $243.44)
This estimate is based on 492 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Same heart electrical test to check for possible cardiac causes of your chest pain.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.94 (typically ranges from $17.41 to $30.47)
This estimate is based on 159 providers. -
Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
Purpose: Helps rule out lung or heart problems contributing to your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $48.43 (typically ranges from $36.32 to $60.54)
This estimate is based on 20 providers. -
Procedure: Comprehensive blood test (CPT Code: 80053)
Purpose: A wide-ranging blood test panel that looks at overall health indicators related to your symptoms.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $17.98 (typically ranges from $12.40 to $23.56)
This estimate is based on 42 providers. -
Procedure: Complete blood cell count (CPT Code: 85025)
Purpose: Blood count test, valuable for detecting anemia or infection.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.30 (typically ranges from $9.11 to $15.49)
This estimate is based on 42 providers.
Visit with a Cardiologist
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Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: Specialized heart exam to assess chest pain, identify heart risks, and plan further testing if needed.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $194.50 (typically ranges from $145.87 to $243.12)
This estimate is based on 248 providers. -
Procedure: Routine ECG (CPT Code: 93000)
Purpose: Checks your heart’s rhythm and electrical activity for any irregularities.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $29.44 (typically ranges from $17.29 to $41.58)
This estimate is based on 208 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of the heart with color flow (CPT Code: 93306)
Purpose: An ultrasound exam to see your heart’s structure and function in detail, especially useful if ECG results suggest a problem.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $213.38 (typically ranges from $123.83 to $302.94)
This estimate is based on 225 providers. -
Procedure: Ultrasound of leg arteries (CPT Code: 93925)
Purpose: This test checks blood flow in your legs, which can explain heavy or tired legs due to circulation issues.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $351.02 (typically ranges from $263.27 to $438.78)
This estimate is based on 61 providers. -
Procedure: Blood test, lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides) (CPT Code: 80061)
Purpose: Checks your cholesterol levels, which affect heart health and risks.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $22.10 (typically ranges from $15.73 to $28.46)
This estimate is based on 9 providers.
Visit with a Dermatologist
- Procedure: Established patient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
Purpose: A skin specialist will examine the yellowish bumps near your eyes to diagnose and treat skin conditions.
Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $198.70 (typically ranges from $149.03 to $248.38)
This estimate is based on 133 providers.
Your Recommended Next Steps
The most important next step is to schedule an appointment with a qualified healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms in detail. Here’s what you can do now:
- Schedule an Appointment: Contact a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor first if you’re unsure, as they can coordinate referrals to specialists like a Cardiologist or Dermatologist depending on what they find.
- Prepare for Your Visit: Write down your symptoms, how long they’ve lasted, any activities that worsen the pain, and questions you want to ask.
- Discuss Costs: When you call to book your visit, ask about the estimated self-pay costs to budget accordingly. The estimates here provide a helpful starting point but may vary by provider.
- Stay Calm and Follow Up: Remember, seeking professional advice is the right step to protect your health. Early evaluation can provide peace of mind and effective 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 post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If your chest pain is severe, persistent, or worsening, please seek emergency medical care immediately.