Chest pain can be a worrying symptom, but it’s important to know that most of the time it’s not a sign of a serious problem. However, it’s always wise to get medical advice to be sure. It’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention if you think you might be having a heart attack.
Immediate Action Required: Call 911 if:
- You experience sudden, persistent chest pain or discomfort. This pain might feel like squeezing, pressure, tightness, burning, or even indigestion. It’s pain that doesn’t go away.
- The pain radiates to your left or right arm, neck, jaw, stomach, or back.
- You have chest pain accompanied by sweating, nausea, lightheadedness, or shortness of breath.
These symptoms could indicate a heart attack. In such cases, calling 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately is vital for prompt treatment in a hospital.
Non-Urgent Advice: See a Doctor if:
- You have chest pain that comes and goes intermittently.
- You experience chest pain that subsides quickly, but you remain concerned.
It’s important to consult a healthcare professional to rule out any serious underlying conditions, even if the pain isn’t constant or severe. Getting professional medical advice can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive appropriate care if needed.
Common Causes of Chest Pain
Chest pain has a wide range of potential causes, and many of them are not related to heart issues. Understanding your specific symptoms can sometimes offer clues about the cause, but it’s never a substitute for professional medical diagnosis. If you’re worried about chest pain, always consult a doctor rather than attempting to self-diagnose.
| Chest Pain Symptoms | Possible Cause |
|---|---|
| Pain that starts after eating, accompanied by regurgitation of food or bitter fluids, fullness, and bloating | Heartburn or indigestion (Acid Reflux) |
| Pain that begins after a chest injury or exercise, worsens with breathing, and improves with muscle rest | Chest sprain or strain (Musculoskeletal Pain) |
| Sharp, persistent pain often triggered by worry or stress, accompanied by rapid heartbeat, sweating, and dizziness | Anxiety, depression or panic attack (Psychological Factors) |
| Pain that intensifies when breathing in, accompanied by coughing up yellow or green mucus and fever | Chest infection, pneumonia or pleurisy (Respiratory Infections) |
| Tingling sensation on the skin, followed by a skin rash that develops into blisters | Shingles (Nerve-related Pain) |
Chest Pain and Heart Problems
While many causes of chest pain are benign, certain heart conditions can manifest as chest pain. These include:
- Angina: Chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It’s often triggered by physical exertion or emotional stress.
- Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction): Occurs when blood flow to the heart is severely blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart, which can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or lying down.
Your risk of experiencing heart-related chest pain increases as you get older and if you have risk factors for coronary heart disease.
Risk factors for coronary heart disease include:
- Smoking
- Obesity
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Family history of heart attacks or angina before the age of 60
It’s important to be aware of these risk factors and discuss them with your doctor, especially if you are experiencing chest pain. Early detection and management of heart conditions are crucial for maintaining long-term health.
Page last reviewed: 08 August 2023
Next review due: 08 August 2026
