Chest pain

What is chest pain?

Chest pain is discomfort in the chest that can appear in many forms. It can vary from a dull ache to a sharp stab and even a crushing or burning sensation. Chest pain can last for a few minutes, hours or even months. In some cases, the pain spreads from the chest, into the neck and jaw, down one or both arms and the back.

Chest pain can be a sign of a serious condition so it’s important to seek medical care if you are experiencing chest pain.

What are the symptoms of chest pain?

Chest pain symptoms can feel different depending on what’s causing the pain. Sometimes, it can be very hard to tell the difference between heart-related chest pain and chest pain caused by a problem in the lung, esophagus, ribs or muscles for example.

Chest pain related to your heart

Discomfort caused by a heart attack or heart problem is typically described as:

• Crushing or searing pain that can spread to the neck, jaw, shoulders, arms and back
• Tightness, pressure or burning sensation in the chest
• Pain that lasts more than a few minutes and gets worse with exercise

However, it is important to note that while these are the ‘typical’ or ‘text book’ symptoms, in reality the presentation and symptoms of heart attack can vary a lot from one person to another, and between men and women.

Other features that may occur with a heart attack can include:

• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Sweating
• Collapse

If you think you could be having a heart attack, do not ignore the symptoms. Seek urgent medical care.

Other chest pain symptoms

• Trouble swallowing
• Heartburn
• Pain that gets better or worse with body movement
• Tenderness in the chest
• Pain that persists for long periods of time

What causes chest pain?

Chest pain has many possible causes including:

How is chest pain diagnosed?

To diagnose chest pain, your health care provider may perform a series of tests that can include:

• ECG (electrocardiogram). This test measures the electrical activity of the heart
• Blood tests
• Chest X-ray
• CT (computerized tomography) scan
• Stress test
• Angiogram

How is chest pain treated?

Treatment varies depending on what’s causing the chest pain. Life-threatening chest pain from a heart attack can require urgent medical intervention including stents, angioplasty or bypass surgery.

When should I see a doctor about my chest pain?

Above all, remember that chest pain should never be ignored. When in doubt, immediately call your doctor about any chest pain, especially if it comes on suddenly.

Call Triple Zero (000) if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain:

• A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone
• Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back
• Sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity
• Nausea, dizziness, rapid heart rate or rapid breathing, confusion, ashen color, or excessive sweating
• Very low blood pressure or very low heart rate

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