How do I know if chest pain is my heart?

You often can't tell from the pain alone — which is why sudden, unexplained chest pain is treated as an emergency. Heart-related pain is typically heavy, tight or pressure-like, may spread to the arm, jaw or back, and often comes with sweating, breathlessness or nausea. If in doubt, call 999.

What are common non-serious causes of chest pain?

Heartburn and reflux (a burning pain after eating), muscle strain (worse on movement or pressing), and anxiety (tightness with a racing heart) are all common. These are diagnoses to reach after serious causes are excluded — not assumptions to make during new, severe pain.

Should I take aspirin during a suspected heart attack?

If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, call 999 first. Call handlers often advise chewing one adult aspirin while waiting, if you are not allergic. Follow their instructions.

What if my chest pain comes and goes?

Chest pain triggered by exertion that eases with rest can be angina, which needs prompt GP assessment even though it passes. Any recurring or unexplained chest pain deserves a medical review — make an urgent GP appointment or call 111.

Chest pain | HealthAnswers

Quick answer

What could chest pain mean?

Chest pain has many causes, from muscle strain and heartburn to heart problems. Because it can signal a heart attack, sudden chest pain should be taken seriously. Call 999 immediately for chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, neck or jaw, or comes with sweating, breathlessness or feeling sick.

Take chest pain seriously first

Most chest pain turns out not to be a heart attack — but some is, and the cost of missing it is far too high to guess. So the rule with chest pain is simple: rule out the emergency first, then think about the everyday causes.

When to call 999

Call 999 immediately if chest pain:

spreads to the arms, back, neck or jaw
comes with sweating, breathlessness, nausea or feeling faint
feels heavy, tight or like pressure on the chest
lasts more than 15 minutes

These can be signs of a heart attack. Do not drive yourself to hospital, and if the call handler advises it, chew an adult aspirin while you wait.

Common non-emergency causes

Once the serious causes are excluded, most chest pain comes from:

heartburn and reflux — a burning pain, often after eating or when lying down
muscle or rib strain — sharp pain that worsens with movement or pressing on the spot
anxiety and panic — chest tightness with a racing heart and rapid breathing
chest infections — pain with coughing

Pain that comes and goes

Chest pain brought on by exertion and eased by rest can be angina — a sign the heart’s blood supply is restricted. It is not an immediate emergency when it settles, but it needs prompt GP assessment. The same goes for any recurring or unexplained chest pain: book an urgent appointment or call 111 rather than ignoring it.

Common questions

How do I know if chest pain is my heart?: You often can't tell from the pain alone — which is why sudden, unexplained chest pain is treated as an emergency. Heart-related pain is typically heavy, tight or pressure-like, may spread to the arm, jaw or back, and often comes with sweating, breathlessness or nausea. If in doubt, call 999.
What are common non-serious causes of chest pain?: Heartburn and reflux (a burning pain after eating), muscle strain (worse on movement or pressing), and anxiety (tightness with a racing heart) are all common. These are diagnoses to reach after serious causes are excluded — not assumptions to make during new, severe pain.
Should I take aspirin during a suspected heart attack?: If you are having symptoms of a heart attack, call 999 first. Call handlers often advise chewing one adult aspirin while waiting, if you are not allergic. Follow their instructions.
What if my chest pain comes and goes?: Chest pain triggered by exertion that eases with rest can be angina, which needs prompt GP assessment even though it passes. Any recurring or unexplained chest pain deserves a medical review — make an urgent GP appointment or call 111.

Sources

NHS — Chest pain