Chest Pain

Chest pain is pain or discomfort you may feel between your abdomen and lower neck or collarbone. It may feel like a tightness, pressure, fullness or burning sensation. The pain can be intermittent, constant, sharp, dull, throbbing, crushing, cramping or achy.

Signs & symptoms of chest pain

The signs and symptoms of chest pain may be very obvious or they may be subtle, particularly among women. The pain may also move, or radiate, to your lower jaw, shoulder blades, or left arm.

Chest pain can be a symptom of a life-threatening event, so seek emergency help by calling 911 if you experience chest pain associated with shortness of breath, nausea, difficulty breathing, disorientation, or cold and clammy skin. These could be symptoms of a heart attack.

Causes of chest pain

Aside from a heart attack, causes of chest pain could include:

• Acid reflux or gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
• Costochondritis (rib cartilage inflammation)
• Gallstones
• Pneumonia 
• Pneumothorax
• Pleurisy
• Pulmonary embolism
• Angina
• Pericarditis
• Anxiety, such as during a panic attack

Diagnosing chest pain

If you are having chest pain, you should be evaluated by a doctor as soon as possible to rule out any serious and potentially fatal heart or lung problem. You will likely undergo the following tests as the doctor determines your diagnosis:

• Electrocardiogram (EKG), to check the electrical activity of your heart
• Blood tests, to determine if there is any damage to your heart tissue or if you have an infection
• Chest x-ray, to check the structure of your heart and if there is any fluid in your lungs
• Computerized tomography (CT) scan, to see detailed images of cross sections of your heart 

If the doctor determines that your chest pain is related to your heart, you will likely be referred to a cardiologist for further testing and treatment. If the doctor does not feel that your chest pain is related to your heart, you may be referred to another specialist, depending on the emergency room doctor’s impressions. This could be a gastroenterologist, a pulmonologist, or perhaps a psychologist or psychiatrist.

Experiencing chest pain can be a frightening experience. Getting immediate help can reduce the risk of serious disability if the chest pain is related to your heart. It can also help relieve anxiety if your doctor can determine that the pain is not heart related.