What it is
Chest pain is a broad term for discomfort, pressure, tightness, squeezing, burning or aching anywhere in the chest. It can feel sharp or dull, come on suddenly or build slowly, and it may spread to the arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back.
Chest pain has many possible causes. Some involve the heart, such as reduced blood flow through the coronary arteries or a heart attack. Others involve the lungs, muscles, ribs, digestive system or stress and anxiety. You usually can't tell the cause by how it feels alone.
Because the heart can be involved, chest pain is something clinicians take seriously. Some people, including many women, older adults and people with diabetes, may notice less typical symptoms such as unusual fatigue, shortness of breath, nausea or lightheadedness, with or without obvious chest pain.
How it’s traditionally been approached
Traditionally, chest pain that comes on suddenly, is severe, or occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting or pain spreading to the arm or jaw is treated as an emergency. In the US, people are generally advised to call 911 rather than drive themselves.
Chest pain that is milder, comes and goes, or shows up with exertion is traditionally something people are encouraged to bring to a clinician promptly rather than wait and see. New, changing or worsening symptoms are usually worth a timely conversation.
A clinician typically starts with your symptoms, personal and family history, risk factors and a physical exam. Depending on the situation, they may use tools such as an electrocardiogram, bloodwork or imaging to learn more. What is appropriate is decided by a licensed clinician after an evaluation.
How the right cardiologist may help
The right cardiologist may help sort out whether chest pain is likely related to the heart and what the next steps could be. A visit generally involves questions about when the pain happens, what it feels like, what makes it better or worse, and your family history of heart disease.
It can help to write things down before you go: when symptoms started, how long they last, what you were doing, medicines and supplements you take, and relatives who had heart problems. Bringing a list of questions and a trusted person can make the visit easier.
Good questions to ask include: What might be causing this? Which tests make sense for me, and why? What symptoms mean I should call 911? Should I consider cardiac rehab or prevention support? If heart disease runs in my family, would genetic heart testing or genetic counseling be worth discussing? Genetic tests show risk, not a diagnosis, and a cardiologist or genetic counselor can help interpret them.
The whole-person view
Body, mind and stress affect each other. Worry can make chest sensations feel more frightening, and ongoing stress can affect sleep, blood pressure and daily habits. At the same time, anxiety can feel a lot like heart symptoms, which is one reason chest pain deserves a proper evaluation rather than guesswork.
Many people find it helpful to look after the whole person while working with their care team. Somatic Experiences offers body-based support for stress and tension, and Therapists.plus can connect you with talk therapy for worry, fear or life changes after a health scare. These can complement, not replace, medical care.
Somatic Experiences: nervous system regulation →Somatic Experiences: embodiment and movement →Therapists.plus: anxiety panic and ocd →Therapists.plus: mind body connection →
Keep in mind
- Licensed professionals should guide any decision about chest pain; this page is educational only and cannot tell you what is causing your symptoms.
- If you think you may be having a heart attack or other emergency, call 911 right away. Do not wait to see if it passes.
- If you are in emotional distress or crisis, call or text the 988 Lifeline.
- Genetic tests do not diagnose heart disease on their own, a negative result doesn't rule out risk, and GINA does not cover life, disability or long-term-care insurance. Confirm coverage for tests and care with your insurer and provider.
Not sure where to start? Answer a few gentle questions and choose who you’d like to hear from.
Frequently asked questions
Chest pain: when should I see a doctor?
Chest pain is generally worth bringing to a doctor, especially if it is new, keeps coming back, happens with exertion or is getting worse. If it is sudden or severe, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, fainting or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, call 911. A licensed clinician can evaluate your situation.
When is chest pain an emergency?
Chest pain is generally treated as an emergency when it is sudden, intense, crushing or accompanied by trouble breathing, cold sweats, nausea, lightheadedness or pain spreading to the arm, neck or jaw. In these cases, call 911 instead of driving yourself. It is better to be checked than to wait.
Can chest pain be something other than the heart?
Yes, chest pain can come from the muscles, ribs, lungs, digestive system or anxiety, among other causes. However, you can't reliably tell the source on your own. A clinician can help determine whether the heart is involved.
What kind of doctor should I see for chest pain?
A primary care clinician is often a first stop for non-emergency chest pain, and they may refer you to a cardiologist. A cardiologist focuses on the heart and blood vessels. Which specialist makes sense depends on your symptoms and history.
What should I bring to an appointment about chest pain?
It helps to bring notes on when symptoms happen and how they feel, a list of your medicines and supplements, and details about relatives with heart conditions. A list of questions is also useful. A trusted person can help you remember what was discussed.
Does a family history of heart disease matter for chest pain?
It can matter, because a clinician may consider family history when assessing risk. In some cases, genetic heart testing may be discussed, but it shows risk or carrier status and does not diagnose heart disease on its own. Genetic counseling before and after testing is recommended, and coverage varies by insurer.
Educational resource. CardioGenes shares general information and connects people with independent cardiologists. It is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Talk with a licensed professional about your health.