Overview
Chest pain can be alarming and may indicate serious medical conditions ranging from heart problems to digestive issues. Understanding the causes helps determine when immediate medical attention is necessary.
Common Causes
Heart-Related (Cardiac)
- Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- Angina (reduced blood flow to heart)
- Pericarditis (inflammation around heart)
- Myocarditis (heart muscle inflammation)
Non-Cardiac Causes
- Acid reflux/GERD
- Muscle strain
- Costochondritis (inflamed rib cartilage)
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumonia
- Shingles
When to Call 911
- Pressure, squeezing, or crushing sensation
- Pain spreading to arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Shortness of breath
- Cold sweats
- Nausea or vomiting
- Sudden severe pain
Diagnostic Tests for Chest Pain
Immediate Tests (Emergency)
- ECG/EKG: Measures heart electrical activity
- Troponin blood test: Detects heart muscle damage
- Chest X-ray: Looks for lung issues, enlarged heart
- CT angiography: Visualizes heart arteries
Follow-up Tests
- Stress test: Exercise ECG to check heart function
- Echocardiogram: Ultrasound of heart
- Cardiac catheterization: Invasive artery imaging
- Upper endoscopy: If GERD suspected
Treatment Depends on Cause
Heart-Related
- Aspirin, nitroglycerin
- Blood thinners (Eliquis, Warfarin)
- Beta blockers (Metoprolol)
- ACE inhibitors (Lisinopril)
- Procedures: Angioplasty, stents, bypass surgery
Non-Cardiac
- GERD: Antacids, PPIs (Omeprazole)
- Muscle pain: NSAIDs (Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
- Anxiety: Therapy, anti-anxiety medications
- Infections: Antibiotics if bacterial