Chest Pain: What To Do Right Now and When To Worry

Chest pain is one of those things that makes your heart race faster than the symptom itself. It can mean something serious — or something minor. The trick is spotting the signs that need immediate action and knowing simple steps to protect yourself until help arrives.

When to call emergency services

Call 911 (or your local emergency number) if the pain is sudden, heavy, or crushing, or if you have any of these with your chest pain: shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting, or pain spreading to the jaw, neck, shoulder, or left arm. If symptoms come on during activity and don’t ease with rest, treat it as an emergency. Don’t wait to see if it gets better.

Common causes and simple checks

Not all chest pain is heart-related. Quick rules of thumb can help you figure out where to start: sharp pain that changes with breathing or coughing often points to lung or rib issues. Burning or a sour taste after eating usually suggests acid reflux. Tight, crushing pressure that builds over minutes and doesn’t change with breathing is more likely heart-related. Muscle strain from heavy lifting or sudden movement gives pain that gets worse when you press the area or move your torso.

Women and older adults often have non-classic heart attack signs — fatigue, shortness of breath, or nausea without a dramatic chest squeeze. If you’re unsure, err on the side of caution and get checked.

At the hospital, common tests are an ECG to read your heart rhythm, blood tests for heart enzymes (troponin), chest X-ray for lungs, and sometimes a CT scan or stress test. These tests tell doctors what’s likely causing your pain and whether you need urgent treatment.

Risk factors raise the chance your chest pain is heart-related: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, diabetes, obesity, a family history of heart disease, and being older. If some of these apply to you, get evaluated sooner rather than later.

If it’s not an emergency, basic steps help: stop activity and sit or lie down, loosen tight clothing, and take prescribed heart meds (like nitroglycerin) only if they were advised for you. For suspected reflux, an antacid can help, but don’t assume relief rules out heart problems.

Bring a list of current medicines, allergies, and recent health changes to the ER or clinic. Expect the staff to ask about the pain: when it started, how it feels, what makes it better or worse, and any other symptoms.

Want to learn more about related heart issues? We have practical guides on blood pressure meds like Diovan, cholesterol care like Vytorin, and how LDL ties into heart health — useful if your chest pain follows long-term risk factors. If you’re worried right now, call emergency services.