Chest pain has many causes, from acidity to a heart attack. Because it can be serious, new or severe chest pain should always be assessed urgently.
See a doctor if
- Get emergency help for chest pain lasting more than a few minutes, or pain with pressure, heaviness or squeezing
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- Chest pain with sweating, nausea, breathlessness or dizziness
- Any chest pain in a person with diabetes, heart disease or several risk factors
- Do not drive yourself — call for an ambulance
Common causes
These are causes doctors commonly see. This list cannot tell you which one applies to you.
- Acidity and reflux
- Muscle or rib strain
- Anxiety
- Angina — reduced blood flow to the heart
- Heart attack
- Lung conditions including infection and clots
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if chest pain is a heart attack or just acidity?
You often cannot tell, and that is the point — acidity and a heart attack can feel similar. Treat it as a possible heart problem if the pain lasts more than a few minutes, feels like pressure or squeezing, spreads to the arm, jaw, neck or back, or comes with sweating, nausea or breathlessness. Being wrong about acidity costs you an evening; being wrong about a heart attack costs far more.
What should I do if I have chest pain right now?
Call 112 for an ambulance. Do not drive yourself to hospital, and do not ask someone to drive you if an ambulance can come — paramedics can begin treatment on the way. No hospital in India may refuse emergency treatment because you cannot pay.
Can anxiety cause chest pain?
Yes, anxiety and panic genuinely cause chest pain, and it is real pain rather than imagined. But anxiety is a diagnosis made after the dangerous causes have been ruled out, not a reason to avoid getting new chest pain assessed.
What to do next
Note when the symptom started, how it has changed, and anything that makes it better or worse. Take that information — and a list of your medicines — to your doctor. It makes the consultation considerably more useful than trying to recall it on the spot.
If any of the warning signs above apply to you, do not wait for an appointment. Go to a hospital, or call 112.