Chest pain – what causes it and when to get help

Chest pain can be a sign of physical illness (chest infections), mental health problems (anxiety), and even life-threatening conditions (heart attack). Find out what’s causing yours, how to treat it and when to get medical help.


Chest pain – when to seek urgent help

What’s causing your chest pain?

When to see a doctor 

Treatment for chest pain

Can chest pain be prevented?

Chest pain can be caused by a range of conditions and illnesses – from anxiety and heartburn to asthma and bronchitis. It can also be a symptom of something more serious such as pneumonia, angina, or even a heart attack. Luckily, most chest pain does not mean you have a serious health issue, but you should always get it checked just in case.


Chest pain can feel like many things – a sharp, stabbing pain, a band tightening around you, or a crushing, burning sensation. While it can feel alarming, it’s not usually a sign of anything serious.

Although chest pain can be a symptom of heart attack or angina, most chest pain is not caused by heart problems – and is often treatable.

That said, it should never be ignored. 

Make sure you know how to tell the difference between heart-related chest pain that may be life-threatening and need urgent medical attention – and something that does not, such as heartburn or muscle pain.

## Chest pain – when to seek urgent help

If you experience any of the following chest pain symptoms you could be having a heart attack and will need emergency medical help as soon as possible. 

Call the emergency services if:

- you’re having pain or an uncomfortable feeling in your chest – like squeezing or pressure building, or a burning sensation like indigestion, that does not go away
- you get pain that’s spreading to your left or right arm, or your neck, jaw, stomach, or back
- your chest pain is making you feel sweaty, nauseous, faint, or short of breath. 

If your chest pain comes and goes, or it goes away quickly but you’re still concerned, [see your doctor](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/chest-pain#when-to-see-a-doctor).

Get help with this

## What’s causing your chest pain?

Recognizing the type of pain or sensation and noting any accompanying symptoms is really helpful when you speak to a doctor.

Generally, chest pain will either be heart-related – which is rarer yet more serious – or non-heart-related – for example, linked to digestion, an illness or injury. 

### Chest pain – heart-related causes and symptoms

__[Heart attack (myocardial infarction)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/heart-attack)__ – when the supply of blood to your heart is blocked, you’ll feel pressure or heaviness across your chest, or a tight, squeezing sensation. It will last for more than a few minutes or will go away and come back. Chest pain may also spread to your left arm, jaw, neck, back and tummy, too.

Other symptoms can include:

- feeling dizzy
- sweating
- being or feeling sick
- shortness of breath
- coughing or wheezing
- feeling extremely anxious.

__[Angina](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/angina)__ – not as life-threatening as a heart attack. This is your body’s way of warning that blood flow is being restricted to your heart muscles. Angina pain can feel like a tight, dull or heavy chest pain – or an uncomfortable pressure or pain in the center of your chest –  that can spread to your neck, shoulder, back, or arms. It usually stops with rest.

Other symptoms can include:

- nausea
- breathlessness.

__[Pericarditis](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/pericarditis)__ – a sharp or stabbing chest pain caused by inflammation of the lining of your heart. Your pain may spread to your shoulders, arms, or tummy; worsen when breathing in, lying down, or coughing; and improve when you lean forward.

Other symptoms can include:

- high fever
- cough
- painful joints
- shortness of breath
- a pounding or fast-beating heart.

### Other causes of chest pain and their symptoms

__Heartburn or [indigestion](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/indigestion)__ – burning chest pain that usually starts after eating or drinking. When it does not go away or is chronic it's known as [gastroesophageal reflux disease](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/gastroesophageal-reflux-disease).

Other symptoms can include:

- feeling full, nauseous, or bloated
- a bitter taste in your mouth.

__[Asthma](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/asthma)__ – although not necessarily painful, you may feel your chest tighten – as though a band is fastened around it – before or during an attack. This may be ongoing and feel severe if you’re having a bad attack.

Other symptoms can include:

- wheezing
- being out of breath
- coughing.

__[Anxiety](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/anxiety) or panic attack__ – chest pain is sharp and constant.

Other symptoms can include:

- a racing heartbeat
- sweating
- dizziness
- feeling like you can’t breathe.

__[Chest infection (bronchitis)](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/bronchitis)__ – chest pain that hurts when you cough.

Other symptoms can include:

- a chesty cough (sometimes with mucus)
- fever
- wheezing and difficulty breathing
- aches and pains
- feeling tired.

__[Pneumonia](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/pneumonia)__ – a lung infection that causes chest pain where your chest feels full of mucus or clogged, alongside severe flu-like symptoms.

Other symptoms can include:

- a cough – sometimes causing you to cough up yellow or green phlegm
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- a high fever.

__[Pleurisy](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/pleurisy)__ – causes sharp chest pain (known as pleuritic pain) that gets worse as you breathe.

Other symptoms can include:

- shortness of breath – or shallow breathing to manage your pain
- chest pain that spreads to your shoulders or back
- a cough and fever (sometimes).

__[Shingles](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/shingles)__ – a virus where chest pain, like a band of sharp pain, can be an early symptom.

Other symptoms can include:

- a tingling, painful feeling on your skin
- an itchy skin rash that turns into blisters
- a headache or feeling unwell.

__Chest strain__ – muscular chest pain that gets worse when you breathe in but feels better with rest. It’s an injury rather than an illness, so you should feel otherwise well. 

## When to see a doctor 

Even if your chest pain comes and goes, or goes away quite quickly, you should always get it checked out by a doctor – especially if you’re worried about it.

If your chest pain doesn’t go away, or you think you are having a heart attack, [get emergency medical help](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/symptoms/chest-pain#red-flag-symptoms).

## Treatment for chest pain

How your chest pain will be treated depends on the cause – which can range from illness to injury and mental health conditions – and how serious it is.

Once your doctor has diagnosed the cause of your chest pain, they’ll be able to recommend the most effective treatment plan. 

This may include:

- __medicine (anti-inflammatories, painkillers, antacids)__ – to relieve symptoms of muscular strain, an infection or indigestion
- __aspirin__ – if chest pain is thought to be linked to your heart you may be recommended to take aspirin to thin your blood. This may be advised during an actual heart attack while waiting for an ambulance, if you have no allergies to aspirin 
- __steroids__ – for shingles and for pericarditis, if anti-inflammatories don’t work
- __inhalers__ – for asthma symptoms
- __PPI medication (proton pump inhibitors)__ – such as omeprazole, esomeprazole or lansoprazole to control acid reflux
- __antibiotics__ – to clear up bacterial infections causing pleurisy or chest infections 
- __antidepressants (SSRIs)__ – to help anxiety-related causes
- __talking therapies (CBT)__ – to help manage panic attacks and associated chest pain. 

Heart-related chest pain will require further tests to monitor your heart health, investigate your lungs and check for blood clots. 

Treatment for more serious chest pain, caused by angina and heart attack, may include:

- __nitrates (such glyceryl trinitrate or GTN, sometimes referred to as nitroglycerin)__ – medication to take during an attack
- __beta-blockers or calcium channel blockers__ – to prevent attacks
- __medication to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke__ 
- __medication to get rid of blood clots__ 
- __surgery__ – to improve blood flow, widen arteries, or restore blood flow to the heart. 

## Can chest pain be prevented?

It’s possible to reduce your risk of conditions that cause heart problems and chest pain symptoms by:

- eating a healthy, balanced diet
- managing health conditions, such as [high blood pressure](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/blood-pressure-high), high cholesterol and [diabetes](https://www.livehealthily.com/health-library/conditions/diabetes)
- taking regular exercise – ideally daily, or at least twice a week
- maintaining a healthy BMI (body mass index) – a healthy weight for your height
- not drinking alcohol or cutting down
- quitting smoking.

You can also avoid specific triggers that may be linked to what’s causing your chest pain. For example:

- __avoiding foods that cause heartburn__ – such as coffee, tomatoes, alcohol, chocolate and fatty or spicy foods
- __using inhalers correctly and regularly__ – if you have asthma
- __keeping up to date with vaccinations__ – for example against shingles and pneumonia. Ask your healthcare professional for advice.

### Where to get support

Depending on the cause of your chest pain you may be able to get further information and support from:

- [British Heart Foundation (UK)](https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/support) 
- [American Heart Association (US)](https://www.heart.org/) 
- [Asthma + Lung UK](https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/) 
- [MIND (UK)](https://www.mind.org.uk/) 
- [NAMI (US)](https://www.nami.org/) 

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References

Juliet Blank

Jo Wheatley

Dr Ewan O'Farrell

Article information

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