Cardiac contusion is an injury, or bruise, to the heart. This means that the chambers of the heart (atria and ventricles) are injured by a hard, direct hit (trauma) to the chest area. The injury can range from mild to serious.

• If the heart injury is mild, there may be no symptoms.

• Serious trauma to the heart may cause pain, shortness of breath, and an irregular heartbeat.

This condition is caused by chest trauma, which may be due to:

• A car or bike accident.

• Sports accidents.

• CPR.

• Falling.

The following factors may make you more likely to develop this condition:

• Being in a motor vehicle accident.

• Having a high-impact injury to the chest.

• Being an older person.

Symptoms of this condition may include:

• Chest pain and discomfort.

• Shortness of breath.

• Fast or irregular heartbeats (palpitations).

• Bruising and skin discoloration on your chest.

• Weakness.

• Dizziness or passing out.

• Nausea or vomiting.

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your medical history.

• A physical exam.

• Tests, such as:

  • Blood tests.

  • Chest X-ray.

  • Electrocardiogram (ECG). This records the electrical activity of your heart and traces the patterns of your heartbeat onto paper.

  • Echocardiogram. This is an ultrasound of your heart.

  • CT scan.

Treatment for the contusion depends on how severe it is.

• In mild cases, treatment may not be needed. You may need:

  • Monitoring for 1–2 days.

  • Rest and supportive care at home.

  • A follow-up exam by your health care provider.

• In severe cases, treatment may include:

  • Medicines. These may be given by mouth or through an IV inserted into one of your veins. Medicines may be used to manage:

    • Pain.

    • Blood pressure.

    • Heart rhythm.

  • Oxygen therapy.

  • A pacemaker to manage heart rhythm.

  • Ventilation to assist with breathing.

  • A chest tube to drain fluids.

  • Draining the bleeding around the heart.

  • Surgery to repair damaged structures in the heart.

Medicines

• Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.

• Ask your health care provider if the medicine prescribed to you:

  • Requires you to avoid driving or using machinery.

  • Can cause constipation. You may need to take these actions to prevent or treat constipation:

    • Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.

    • Take over-the-counter or prescription medicines.

    • Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as beans, whole grains, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

    • Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried or sweet foods.

Managing pain and swelling

Activity

• Rest and limit your activity while your injury heals as told by your health care provider.

• Return to your normal activities, such as work and sports, only as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for you.

• You may have to avoid lifting. Ask your health care provider how much you can safely lift.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco. These products include cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and vaping devices, such as e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.

• Keep all follow-up visits. This is important.

These symptoms may be an emergency. Get help right away. Call 911.

• Do not wait to see if the symptoms will go away.

• Do not drive yourself to the hospital.