Chest pain is a common reason people seek medical help. It has many possible causes — some minor, and some that need urgent attention. Because the causes differ, chest pain should be assessed rather than assumed.

Chest pain is not a single condition

Discomfort in the chest can arise from the muscles and ribs, the lungs and airways, the digestive system, or the heart. The same sensation can mean different things in different people.

This is exactly why a medical assessment matters: the cause cannot be identified from the sensation alone.

Symptoms that should not wait

  • Severe or persistent chest pain or pressure
  • Chest discomfort spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
  • Severe difficulty in breathing
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness
  • Sudden sweating along with chest discomfort
  • Symptoms that are rapidly worsening
If you or someone else has severe or persistent chest pain, or severe breathing difficulty, seek emergency medical assistance immediately. Do not delay to look for information online.

Why urgent evaluation matters

Some heart-related emergencies are time-sensitive. Prompt assessment allows the treating team to identify what is happening and act quickly.

For a serious emergency, call the hospital directly or reach the nearest emergency department. This website is not an emergency service.

What may happen during evaluation

  • A description of the pain, its timing and what brings it on
  • A physical examination, including blood pressure
  • An ECG to record the heart's electrical activity
  • Blood tests or other investigations if advised
  • Monitoring and further review depending on the findings

When chest discomfort is not an emergency

Not all chest discomfort is a heart emergency. Some causes are related to muscles, digestion or the lungs. Even so, recurring discomfort is worth a routine consultation so the cause can be clarified.

Recurring or exertional discomfort

Discomfort that appears during activity and settles with rest should be discussed with a doctor. It is a pattern that deserves assessment rather than watchful waiting.

A note on self-diagnosis

It is not possible to identify the cause of chest pain from symptoms alone, and this article cannot do that either. If you are concerned about chest pain, seek medical advice — and if the symptoms are severe, treat it as an emergency.