Chest Pain and Tiredness? A Guide to Your Next Healthcare Steps in Long Beach, CA

If you’ve been feeling unusually tired and experiencing chest pain, especially when walking or climbing stairs, it’s natural to feel worried. Adding leg heaviness and cramps at night can understandably increase your concern about what might be going on. You are not alone, and it’s important to take these symptoms seriously without panic. This post is here to guide you through understanding who you should see for these symptoms in Long Beach, CA, what kinds of medical tests might happen during your visits, and an estimate of the costs you can expect if you are paying out of pocket. You’re in the right place to get clear, helpful information to move forward confidently with your health.

Who to See for Your Symptoms in Long Beach, CA

Based on your symptoms—chest pain, tiredness, leg heaviness, and cramps—several types of healthcare providers can be a good starting point. Each has a role in diagnosing and managing potential causes of your symptoms:

• Internal Medicine Doctor: These specialists focus on adult health and complex medical issues. They can evaluate your heart, lungs, and overall wellness and order needed tests.
• Family Practice Doctor: A family practice doctor is a generalist who can diagnose and treat a wide range of conditions, making them an excellent first stop for your symptoms.
• Emergency Medicine Provider: If your chest pain is severe, sudden, or accompanied by other worrying symptoms (like shortness of breath or fainting), an emergency medicine doctor can provide immediate evaluation and care.
• Cardiologist: A cardiologist specializes in heart-related conditions. If your initial doctor suspects a heart problem, they may refer you to this specialist for focused testing and treatment.

What to Expect: Initial Visits and Estimated Costs

Here is an overview of typical procedures each provider type might perform, why they are important, and what you might expect to pay in Long Beach when paying out of pocket. These costs are estimates based on local provider data.

Visit with an Internal Medicine Doctor

• Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: This is a thorough check-up to discuss your symptoms in detail and perform a physical exam.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $209.33 (typically ranges from $157 to $262)
  This estimate is based on 602 providers in the Long Beach area.

• Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: A simple heart test that records electrical activity to spot heart rhythm or other issues.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $30.12 (typically ranges from $19 to $41)
  This estimate is based on 241 providers in Long Beach.

• Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
  Purpose: Helps check your lungs and chest structure, which can explain pain or shortness of breath.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $57.44 (typically ranges from $43 to $72)
  This estimate is based on 37 providers in the area.

Visit with a Family Practice Doctor

• Procedure: Established patient office or other outpatient visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: General evaluation and assessment of your symptoms with a physical exam.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $212.06 (typically ranges from $159 to $265)
  This estimate is based on 574 providers in Long Beach.

• Procedure: Routine electrocardiogram (ECG) with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: Heart monitoring to detect rhythm problems or other findings.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.76 (typically ranges from $19 to $38)
  This estimate is based on 185 providers.

• Procedure: Blood draw for testing (CPT Code: 36415)
  Purpose: Draw blood to test for signs of anemia, infection, or other problems causing tiredness or cramps.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $12.00 (typically ranges from $9 to $15)
  Based on 239 providers.

• Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
  Purpose: To check your lungs and chest area for any abnormalities.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $54.72 (typically ranges from $41 to $68)
  Based on 63 providers.

Visit with an Emergency Medicine Provider

• Procedure: Emergency department visit with moderate complexity (CPT Code: 99284)
  Purpose: Immediate evaluation and treatment when chest pain might indicate a serious emergency.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $309.38 (typically ranges from $149 to $470)
  Based on 489 providers.

• Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93010)
  Purpose: Quick heart screening in a high-intensity setting.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $24.02 (typically ranges from $10 to $38)
  Based on 322 providers.

• Procedure: Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT Code: 71046)
  Purpose: Rapid imaging to rule out lung or chest causes of pain.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $59.82 (typically ranges from $45 to $75)
  Based on 25 providers.

• Procedure: Troponin blood test (CPT Code: 84484)
  Purpose: Checks for heart muscle damage, a key test for heart attacks.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $23.78 (typically ranges from $15 to $33)
  Based on 4 providers.

• Procedure: Complete blood count (CPT Code: 85025)
  Purpose: To detect anemia, infection, or other blood-related issues causing fatigue.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $13.54 (typically ranges from $9 to $18)
  Based on 12 providers.

Visit with a Cardiologist

• Procedure: Established patient office visit, 30-39 minutes (CPT Code: 99214)
  Purpose: Specialized heart evaluation to assess chest pain and tiredness causes.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $215.10 (typically ranges from $161 to $269)
  Based on 180 providers.

• Procedure: Routine ECG with interpretation (CPT Code: 93000)
  Purpose: Detailed heart electrical activity testing.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $28.29 (typically ranges from $19 to $38)
  Based on 167 providers.

• Procedure: Heart ultrasound (echocardiogram) with blood flow study (CPT Code: 93306)
  Purpose: Ultrasound imaging to see heart structure, function, and blood flow.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $164.09 (typically ranges from $119 to $209)
  Based on 185 providers.

• Procedure: Ultrasound of arm and leg arteries (CPT Code: 93922)
  Purpose: Examines blood flow in limbs that can explain heaviness and cramps.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $141.22 (typically ranges from $102 to $181)
  Based on 12 providers.

• Procedure: Exercise or medication stress test with ECG (CPT Code: 93015)
  Purpose: Tests heart performance under stress to detect hidden issues.
  Estimated Self-Pay Cost: $118.65 (typically ranges from $89 to $148)
  Based on 84 providers.

Your Recommended Next Steps

The most important step you can take now is to schedule a visit with a healthcare professional who can properly assess your symptoms, perform or order appropriate tests, and guide you toward the right treatment.

• Schedule an Appointment: Begin by contacting a Family Practice or Internal Medicine doctor in Long Beach, CA. If your chest pain feels severe or sudden, seek emergency care immediately.
• Prepare for Your Visit: Write down when your symptoms started, how often the pain and tiredness occur, any other symptoms, and questions you want to ask.
• Discuss Costs: When you call to make an appointment, ask about self-pay pricing and confirm any costs you should expect. The estimates here offer a general guide but may vary by provider.
• Feel Reassured: Remember, seeking a professional evaluation is the best way to understand your health and get peace of mind. You are taking the right step toward caring for yourself.

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.

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Disclaimer: This blog post is for informational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.