Worried about your symptoms?
Start the test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Nausea
Malaise
Chest pain
Neck pain
Shortness of breath
Vomiting
Jaw pain
Left arm pain
Cold sweats
Chest tightness
Not seeing your symptoms? No worries!
These are often grouped together under the term "Acute Coronary Syndrome" (ACS) and are potentially life-threatening. This occurs when a blood vessel supplying the heart is blocked, usually by a blood clot. Risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a sedentary lifestyle, diabetes, and a family history of cardiovascular diseases (e.g., stroke, heart disease).
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
This is a medical emergency and requires prompt medical attention in the hospital. Treatment aims to restore blood supply to the heart with medication to reduce blood clot size, prevent clot formation, and reduce the workload of the heart. Surgery or procedures are performed to open up the blocked artery supplying the heart or reroute blood around the blocked area.
Reviewed By:
Osler Jay Justo Guzon, MD (Cardiology)
Dr. Guzon graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Medicine with a BLA and MD. He then completed his Internal Medicine Residency at St. Louis University before a fellowship in Cardiovascular Diseases at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He has since working as an invasive cardiologist with a particular interest in preventative medicine and cardiometabolic disease. Over the past several years, Dr. Guzon has served on the speaker bureaus of AstraZeneca, Lilly, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and Aralez.
Tatsuya Shiraishi, MD (Cardiology)
Dr. Shiraishi graduated from the Kyoto University School of Medicine. He worked as a cardiologist at Edogawa Hospital, and after joining Ubie, he became the Director of East Nihonbashi Internal Medicine Clinic.
Content updated on Jul 18, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Was this page helpful?
We would love to help them too.
With a free 3-min quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms

Our AI

Your report

Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
See full list
Q.
High Troponin Levels? Why Your Heart Is Signaling + Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
High troponin levels signal heart muscle stress or injury, and they do not always mean a heart attack. Causes range from blocked arteries to myocarditis, heart failure, severe infection or clots, extreme exertion, and kidney disease, and doctors rely on serial troponin trends plus symptoms and ECG to tell how urgent it is. Next steps often include repeat testing, ECG monitoring, targeted imaging, and treatment of risk factors or the root cause. There are several factors to consider that can change what you should do next, so see the complete guidance below and seek emergency care now for chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back.
References:
* Fanaroff AC, et al. High-Sensitivity Cardiac Troponin in the Evaluation of Acute Chest Pain: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians. Ann Intern Med. 2023 Sep;176(9):1201-1209. doi: 10.7326/M23-0668. Epub 2023 Aug 15. PMID: 37581977.
* Thygesen K, et al. Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction (2018). J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018 Oct 30;72(18):2231-2264. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.08.1038. Epub 2018 Aug 28. PMID: 30166014.
* Jain R, et al. Beyond myocardial infarction: Understanding and managing elevated troponin levels in non-ACS settings. Cleve Clin J Med. 2021 Feb 1;88(2):83-92. doi: 10.3949/ccjm.88a.20146. PMID: 33526553.
* Rubini P, et al. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin and the interpretation of its clinical utility. J Clin Med. 2022 Oct 26;11(21):6303. doi: 10.3390/jcm11216303. PMID: 36360699; PMCID: PMC9658744.
* Januzzi JL Jr. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin: A review for the internist. Cardiol Rev. 2021 Jan/Feb;29(1):16-23. doi: 10.1097/CRD.0000000000000320. PMID: 32665476.
Q.
Is it Heartburn? Signs of a Heart Attack & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Know the key differences between heartburn and a heart attack and when to seek emergency care: burning after meals that eases with antacids suggests heartburn, while chest pressure lasting more than 5 minutes, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness means call emergency services. There are several factors to consider, including atypical symptoms in women, older adults, and people with diabetes, plus medically approved steps if you are unsure, key risk factors, and prevention tips. See the complete details below.
References:
* Glickman LT, Sesso R. Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Practical Approach. Am J Med Sci. 2017 Mar;353(3):289-299. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2016.12.006. PMID: 28249767.
* Mahler SA, Hiestand BC, Jenkins CA, Miller CD. Atypical presentation of acute myocardial infarction in women: a narrative review. Postgrad Med J. 2021 Mar;97(1145):141-147. doi: 10.1136/postgradmedj-2020-138343. Epub 2020 Sep 17. PMID: 32943588.
* Gulati M, Levy PD, Mukherjee D, Wong ND, Levine GN, Daniels SR, McClure C, Gillam G, Chan PS, Smith SC Jr, Harrington RA, Anderson JL; American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2021 Nov 30;144(22):e368-e454. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001029. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34709971.
* Ibrahim R, Al-Ghurabi K, Lim ZC, Oon YK, Othman AN, Razak WA, Abdul-Rashid A, Abdul Aziz KA. Prehospital management of acute coronary syndrome: a narrative review. J Thorac Dis. 2020 Jul;12(Suppl 1):S118-S127. doi: 10.21037/jtd.2020.01.21. PMID: 32676340.
* Hsu CH, Tseng WH, Chang CW, Yu CW, Su HM. Emergency department management of chest pain: a review of current evidence. Emerg Med J. 2018 Aug;35(8):496-501. doi: 10.1136/emermed-2017-207328. Epub 2018 Apr 11. PMID: 29643194.
Q.
Scared of Blockage? Why Your Heart Needs Angioplasty and Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Angioplasty is a minimally invasive way to open blocked coronary arteries, restore blood flow, ease chest pain, and during a heart attack save heart muscle and lives, with serious complications uncommon in experienced hands; it treats the narrowed artery but not the underlying coronary disease. The medically approved next steps include urgent care for warning symptoms, prompt doctor evaluation and testing, an individualized decision between angioplasty and medications, and strict adherence to antiplatelet therapy plus lifestyle risk reduction; there are several factors to consider, so see the complete details below to understand timing, safety, and alternatives that could change your plan.
References:
* Lawton JS, et al. 2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Jan 18;79(2):e21-e129. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.006. Epub 2021 Dec 6. PMID: 34895623.
* Knuuti J, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 14;41(3):407-477. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425. PMID: 31504439.
* Valgimigli M, et al. 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocardial revascularization. Eur Heart J. 2018 Oct 7;39(42):3736-3808. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy394. PMID: 30165437.
* Collet JP, et al. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Eur Heart J. 2021 Apr 12;42(14):1289-1367. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa575. PMID: 32860058.
* Grundy SM, et al. 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2019 Jun 18;139(25):e1082-e1143. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000625. Epub 2018 Nov 10. PMID: 30586774.
Q.
Nitro Not Working? Why Your Chest is Still Tight & Medical Next Steps
A.
If nitro does not ease chest tightness within minutes, it could mean the pain is not angina, a heart attack or unstable angina is developing, you have nitrate tolerance, or the dose, timing, or storage was off. Use the 5-minute rule up to 3 doses and call emergency services if pain persists or red flag symptoms appear; do not drive. There are several factors to consider, and important details about other causes, risk factors, and what doctors will do next are explained below.
References:
* Uriel, N., & Stone, G. W. (2022). Management of Refractory Angina. JACC. Cardiovascular Interventions, 15(1), 1–13.
* Knuuti, J., et al. (2020). 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. European Heart Journal, 41(3), 407–477.
* Ong, P., et al. (2020). International Classification of Coronary Artery Anomalies (ICCA) for Microvascular Angina. Journal of the American Heart Association, 9(12), e016921.
* Crea, F., et al. (2022). Ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries: A multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and treatment. European Heart Journal, 43(35), 3290–3306.
* Kunadian, V., et al. (2020). Chronic Coronary Syndromes. JACC: Cardiovascular Interventions, 13(13), 1500–1512.
Q.
Chest Pain? Why Your Heart Needs an Angiogram & Medically Approved Steps
A.
Chest pain can be a sign of heart artery blockage; an angiogram is the gold standard to see coronary narrowing or blockages and can sometimes fix them on the spot with angioplasty and stents, or guide medicines or bypass surgery. There are several factors to consider, including red flag symptoms that need urgent care, who is at higher risk, which tests are used, and procedure safety with recovery steps; see the complete guidance below to choose the right next steps for your health.
References:
* Gulati M, et al. 2021 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Nov 30;78(22):e187-e281. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34709879.
* Knuuti J, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 14;41(3):407-477. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425. Epub 2019 Aug 31. PMID: 31497921.
* Maron DJ, et al. Effect of an Invasive Versus an Invasive Strategy on Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease. N Engl J Med. 2020 Jan 9;382(2):137-147. doi: 10.1056/NEJMoa1913069. Epub 2019 Nov 16. PMID: 31737750.
* Ibanez B, et al. Percutaneous Coronary Intervention in Patients with Acute Coronary Syndromes. J Clin Med. 2021 May 26;10(11):2343. doi: 10.3390/jcm10112343. PMID: 34091929; PMCID: PMC8197711.
* Neumann FJ, et al. 2018 ESC/EACTS Guidelines on myocardial revascularization. Eur Heart J. 2019 Jan 7;40(2):87-165. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehy394. PMID: 30165437.
Q.
High Troponin? Why Your Heart Is At Risk & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
High troponin means heart muscle injury and your heart may be at risk, but it is not always a heart attack; doctors judge severity by the number, whether it rises or falls, your symptoms, ECG, and history. Seek urgent medical care, and use emergency services if you have chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting. Next steps can include repeat troponin tests, ECG, echocardiogram or stress imaging, targeted treatment, and risk factor control, but there are several factors to consider. See the complete guidance below to understand what applies to you.
References:
* Mahajan VS, Mahmood A. Troponin elevation: The great mimicker. Clin Cardiol. 2019 Feb;42(2):189-195. doi: 10.1002/clc.23141. Epub 2019 Jan 16. PMID: 30691585.
* Hickenbottom SL, Fan X, Ziaeian B. High-sensitivity cardiac troponin: A review for the general clinician. Heart. 2022 Dec 1;108(24):1955-1962. doi: 10.1136/heartjnl-2021-320090. Epub 2022 Aug 4. PMID: 35925345.
* Guo R, Li C, Wang J, Shi Z, Sun S, Zhang S, Yu G. The prognostic value of high-sensitivity cardiac troponins in patients without acute coronary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Eur J Clin Invest. 2019 Jan;49(1):e13049. doi: 10.1111/eci.13049. Epub 2018 Dec 20. PMID: 30559098.
* Gulati M, Levy PD, Mukherjee D, Wong ND, Levine GN, Daniels PA, Velasquez HC, Shah RU, Gillam LD, Elgendy IY, Madan K, Cohen MG, Bakris GL, Hess B, Williams M, Winchester DE, Ziaeian B, Smith JD, Malik S, Elissa Altobelli N, Gaba P, Thamilarasan AT, Rodriguez F, Grzybowski AC, Sherif K, Saseen JJ, Stoner JA, Bruno P, Jaber WA, Russell RR, Smith SC Jr, Cushman M, Cho L, Taubert KA. 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Nov 30;78(22):e187-e281. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34709552.
* Kousa O, Al-Faraj A, Abdalkader L. Current clinical utility of cardiac troponins: a review. Postgrad Med J. 2023 Feb;99(1168):126-132. doi: 10.1136/pmj-2021-140735. Epub 2022 Aug 30. PMID: 36043003.
Q.
Is it Myocardial Infarction? Why Your Heart is Failing & Vital Medical Steps
A.
There are several factors to consider: myocardial infarction is a heart attack caused by sudden blockage of a coronary artery that deprives the heart muscle of oxygen, leading to chest pressure, shortness of breath, or subtler signs like unusual fatigue. Time is critical, so call emergency services if these symptoms appear, since rapid ECG and troponin testing and treatments such as aspirin, nitroglycerin, angioplasty or clot-busting medicine can save heart muscle; see the complete details on risks, hospital care, recovery, and prevention below.
References:
* Visseren, F. L. J., Mach, F., Smulders, Y. M., Carballo, D., Cosentino, B., Back, M., ... & ESC Scientific Document Group. (2023). 2023 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes. *European Heart Journal*, ehad536. PMID: 37943419
* Gulati, M., Levy, P. D., Mukherjee, D., Amsterdam, E., Burke, A. B., Chaitman, B. R., ... & ACC/AHA Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. (2022). 2021 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, 146(18), e982-e1031. PMID: 36308001
* Heidenreich, P. A., Bozkurt, B., Aguilar, D., Allen, L. A., Byun, J. J., Colvin, M. M., ... & American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. (2022). 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, 145(18), e895-e1032. PMID: 35363499
* Bozkurt, B., Anker, S. D., Byra, W. M., Creager, M. A., Fonarow, G. C., Fiuzat, M., ... & Yancy, C. W. (2021). Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management of Heart Failure. *Circulation Research*, 128(12), 1779-1801. PMID: 34080922
* Konishi, M., Maekawa, Y., & Fukuda, K. (2023). Prevention of Heart Failure in Patients With Myocardial Infarction: Current Evidence and Future Directions. *Journal of Clinical Medicine*, 12(10), 3465. PMID: 37240409
Q.
Chest Pain? Why Your Heart Needs Nitroglycerin & Medical Next Steps
A.
Nitroglycerin quickly widens blood vessels to relieve angina and reduce heart strain; if chest pain continues after up to three under-the-tongue doses spaced 5 minutes apart, call emergency services and do not drive. There are several factors to consider. See below to understand more, including that nitroglycerin treats symptoms but not the cause, must not be combined with erectile dysfunction drugs like sildenafil or tadalafil, and when to use it before activity along with the right testing and follow up.
References:
Parker JD, et al. Nitroglycerin for acute coronary syndrome: role in early management. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol Ther. 2013 Dec;18(6):531-9. PMID: 24200676.
Collet JP, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute coronary syndrome presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Eur Heart J. 2021 Aug 27;42(37):3401-3470. PMID: 34470165.
Thadani U. Nitrates in Acute Coronary Syndromes: A Review of the Evidence. Curr Cardiol Rep. 2012 Oct;14(5):427-34. PMID: 22752932.
Diercks DB, et al. Emergency Department Evaluation of Chest Pain. Emerg Med Clin. 2017 Aug;35(3):589-604. PMID: 28651810.
Daiber A, et al. Pharmacology of Nitrates and Nitrites in the Context of Myocardial Ischemia. Int J Mol Sci. 2020 Jan 16;21(2):568. PMID: 31963479.
Q.
Is It a Heart Attack? Why Your Chest Is Tight & Medical Next Steps
A.
Chest tightness can be a heart attack, especially if it feels like pressure or squeezing, spreads to the arm, jaw, back, or neck, or comes with shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, or fainting; if symptoms last over 5 minutes or feel severe, call emergency services and do not drive yourself. There are several factors to consider, including other causes like angina, GERD, anxiety, muscle strain, and lung problems, your personal risk factors, what tests and treatments to expect, and prevention steps. See below for complete guidance and medical next steps that could affect what you do right now.
References:
* Stoyanovsky, D., Brach, J., & Stoyanovsky, S. (2023). Acute Chest Pain: A Practical Approach. *Medicina (Kaunas)*, *59*(8), 1545.
* Gulati, M., Levy, P. D., Mukherjee, D., Amsterdam, E., Balady, G. J., Bartolomeo, R. J., ... & Kontos, M. C. (2021). 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. *Circulation*, *144*(22), e368-e454.
* Khan, M. I., & Ali, A. (2021). Differential Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Comprehensive Review. *Cardiology Research and Practice*, *2021*, 6673891.
* Stanciu, C., Stanciu, L., Stanciu, V., Miftode, I. V., Ciocârlan, M., & Trifan, A. (2022). Non-cardiac chest pain. *Journal of Gastrointestinal and Liver Diseases*, *31*(1), 12-21.
* Xu, Y., Sun, Q., & Li, Q. (2022). Early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction in the emergency department: Current challenges and future perspectives. *World Journal of Emergency Medicine*, *13*(5), 374-380.
Q.
Is It Coronary Artery Disease? Why Your Heart Is Tightening & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Chest tightness can be caused by reduced blood flow from coronary artery disease, especially if it feels like pressure, spreads to the jaw or arm, or comes with shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or symptoms during activity or at rest; call emergency services for severe or sudden symptoms. Medically approved next steps range from urgent care to doctor-guided testing and treatment with lifestyle changes, medications, or procedures depending on your risks and symptom pattern. There are several factors to consider; see below to understand more.
References:
* Gulati, M., et al. 2021 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Nov 30;78(22):e187-e281. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053. Epub 2021 Oct 28. PMID: 34711467.
* Ambrosio, G., et al. Myocardial Ischemia. Circ Res. 2018 Jun 22;123(1):153-172. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.311656. PMID: 29930064.
* Knuuti, J., et al. 2020 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2020 Mar 21;41(12):1122-1144. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425. Epub 2019 Aug 31. PMID: 31495901.
* Ferrari, R., et al. Optimal pharmacotherapy for chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2021 Jan;23(Suppl A):A71-A81. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/suaa216. Epub 2020 Dec 29. PMID: 33495861.
* Boden, W. E., & Eagle, K. A. Diagnosis and Management of Patients With Stable Ischemic Heart Disease. Circ Res. 2018 Jun 22;123(1):210-221. doi: 10.1161/CIRCRESAHA.118.311657. PMID: 29930068.
Q.
Is it Heartburn? Why Your Heart Attack Symptoms Need Urgent Medical Steps
A.
Chest burning after meals that improves with antacids suggests heartburn, but pressure-like chest discomfort that lasts or returns, spreads to the arm, jaw, back, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or unusual fatigue can indicate a heart attack that needs immediate emergency care. If you are unsure, assume it is urgent and call emergency services, especially if you have risk factors or are a woman or a person with diabetes who may have atypical or mild signs. There are several factors to consider, and important details about symptoms, risk, and what to do next are covered below.
References:
* Kloner RA. Chest pain: differentiating cardiac from noncardiac causes. J Fam Pract. 2002 Aug;51(8):666. PMID: 12201886.
* Canto JG, et al. Gender differences in symptoms of acute myocardial infarction: the NRMI (National Registry of Myocardial Infarction) 4 Study. Circulation. 2007 Mar 20;115(11):1403-12. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.106.671311. PMID: 17353457.
* Denhaerynck K, et al. Prehospital delay in patients with acute myocardial infarction: a literature review. Heart Lung. 2011 May-Jun;40(3):233-44. doi: 10.1016/j.hrtlng.2010.05.006. Epub 2010 Aug 12. PMID: 20705353.
* Garvey JL, et al. Assessment of Chest Pain in the Emergency Department. Emerg Med Clin North Am. 2018 Aug;36(3):477-492. doi: 10.1016/j.emc.2018.04.004. Epub 2018 Jun 21. PMID: 30033069.
* Alexander KP, et al. Clinical presentation of acute myocardial infarction in elderly patients. Am Heart J. 2005 Sep;150(3):619-26. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2005.04.020. PMID: 16169335.
Q.
Sudden Pain? Why Ischemia Blocks Blood Flow & Your Medical Next Steps
A.
Ischemia is reduced or blocked arterial blood flow from plaque buildup, clots, artery spasm, or very low blood pressure that deprives tissues of oxygen and can cause sudden pain in the chest, head, limbs, or abdomen; symptoms like chest pressure, stroke signs, sudden severe limb pain with color change, shortness of breath, or severe abdominal pain warrant emergency care. There are several factors to consider for your next steps, including how to recognize warning patterns, who is at higher risk, and what urgent tests and treatments may be needed such as ECG, imaging, blood thinners, clot removal, stents, and lifestyle changes; see the complete details below.
References:
* Ibanez B, James S, Agewall S, et al. 2018 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction in patients presenting with ST-segment elevation. *Eur Heart J*. 2018;39(2):119-179. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx393
* Aboyans V, Ricco JM, Bartelink ME, et al. 2017 ESC Guidelines on the Diagnosis and Treatment of Peripheral Artery Diseases, in collaboration with the European Society for Vascular Surgery (ESVS). *Eur Heart J*. 2018;39(9):763-803. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehx095
* Bala M, Kashuk J, Moore EE, et al. Acute Mesenteric Ischemia: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Management. *Crit Care Med*. 2017;45(3):580-591. doi:10.1097/CCM.0000000000002187
* Powers WJ, Rabinstein AA, Tepper RR, et al. 2019 AHA/ASA Guidelines for the Early Management of Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Guideline for Healthcare Professionals From the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association. *Stroke*. 2019;50(12):e344-e418. doi:10.1161/STR.0000000000000211
* Konstantinides SV, Meyer G, Becattini C, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of acute pulmonary embolism developed in collaboration with the European Respiratory Society (ERS). *Eur Heart J*. 2020;41(4):543-603. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehz405
Q.
Chest Pain? Why Atherosclerosis Hardens Arteries & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Chest pain from atherosclerosis occurs when plaque builds up and hardens coronary arteries, limiting blood flow and oxygen to the heart; this can cause angina or a heart attack. There are several factors to consider, including your risk profile, symptom patterns, and when to treat it as an emergency. Medically approved next steps range from calling emergency services for severe or new symptoms to prompt medical evaluation, risk screening, lifestyle changes, and treatments like statins, antiplatelets, and procedures when needed. See complete details below to understand which steps fit your situation.
References:
* Liberale L, et al. Pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. J Clin Med. 2022 Mar 11;11(6):1524. doi: 10.3390/jcm11061524. PMID: 35329864; PMCID: PMC8955140.
* Gulati M, et al. Evaluation of Chest Pain in Adults: A Review. JAMA. 2021 Mar 16;325(11):1199-1208. doi: 10.1001/jama.2021.1873. PMID: 33724816.
* Knuuti J, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 14;41(3):407-474. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425. PMID: 31504439.
* Libby P. The changing landscape of atherosclerosis. Nature. 2021 Jun;594(7863):335-342. doi: 10.1038/s41586-021-03617-x. PMID: 34108711.
* Writing Committee Members, et al. 2021 ACC/AHA/SCAI Guideline for Coronary Artery Revascularization: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2022 Jan 18;79(2):e21-e129. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.09.006. Epub 2022 Jan 5. PMID: 34998781.
Q.
Is it Angina? Why Your Heart is Struggling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Angina is chest pressure or discomfort from reduced blood flow to the heart, often due to coronary artery disease; symptoms can include squeezing pain, shortness of breath, or pain spreading to the arm or jaw, and new, worsening, or rest symptoms lasting more than 5 to 10 minutes require emergency care. There are several factors to consider. See below for the types of angina, key risk factors, how doctors diagnose it, and medically approved next steps including lifestyle changes, medications like nitroglycerin, beta blockers, antiplatelets and statins, and when stents or bypass surgery are recommended, plus prevention tips that could change your next steps.
References:
* Knuuti J, et al. 2019 ESC Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jan 14;41(3):407-477. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehz425. PMID: 31505072.
* Kontos MC, et al. 2021 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2021 Nov 30;144(22):e368-e454. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001029. PMID: 34709879.
* Collet JP, et al. 2021 ESC Guidelines for the management of acute coronary syndromes in patients presenting without persistent ST-segment elevation. Eur Heart J. 2021 Oct 14;42(34):3405-3474. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehab394. PMID: 34479978.
* Goyal A, et al. Angina Pectoris. 2023 Apr 10. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. PMID: 28722920.
* Crea F, et al. Coronary microvascular dysfunction: an update. Eur Heart J. 2020 Jul 1;41(25):2397-2408. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehaa003. PMID: 31925345.
Q.
Heart Health for Women 30-45: Warning Signs & Your Action Plan
A.
Women 30 to 45 should watch for subtle heart warning signs like chest pressure or tightness, shortness of breath, jaw, neck, back or arm pain, nausea, cold sweats, dizziness, and unusual fatigue, especially if they have risks like high blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar problems, smoking, pregnancy complications, PCOS, autoimmune disease, early menopause, or migraine with aura. Your action plan includes knowing your numbers, steady physical activity, heart-protective eating, stress and sleep support, avoiding smoking, speaking up about symptoms, and knowing when to call emergency services. There are several factors to consider, so see below to understand specific targets, early warning nuances, and decision points that may shape your next steps with your clinician.
References:
* Shah T, et al. Cardiovascular disease in young women: A review of current knowledge and future directions. J Am Heart Assoc. 2023 Feb 7;12(3):e026909. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.122.026909. Epub 2023 Jan 27. PMID: 36706059; PMCID: PMC9973809.
* Wu X, et al. Risk factors for premature acute myocardial infarction in young women: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Front Cardiovasc Med. 2022 Nov 25;9:1062095. doi: 10.3389/fcvm.2022.1062095. PMID: 36506306; PMCID: PMC9731637.
* Al-Hayek AA, et al. Symptoms and delays to presentation in women with acute myocardial infarction: a systematic review. Int J Cardiol. 2021 Mar 1;326:176-184. doi: 10.1016/j.ijcard.2020.10.050. Epub 2020 Oct 21. PMID: 33100147.
* Mosca L, et al. Contemporary Cardiovascular Disease Prevention in Women: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2021 Dec 21;144(25):e559-e585. doi: 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001042. Epub 2021 Oct 25. PMID: 34693149.
* Miller VM, et al. Practical Guidance for the Diagnosis and Management of Ischemic Heart Disease in Women. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2021 Sep 28;78(13):1336-1349. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.054. PMID: 34556391.
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.

“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024

“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023

“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)

Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1Munger TM, Oh JK. Unstable angina. Mayo Clin Proc. 1990 Mar;65(3):384-406. doi: 10.1016/s0025-6196(12)62539-7. PMID: 2179645.
https://www.mayoclinicproceedings.org/article/S0025-6196(12)62539-7/fulltextBraunwald E, Morrow DA. Unstable angina: is it time for a requiem? Circulation. 2013 Jun 18;127(24):2452-7. doi: 10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.001258. PMID: 23775194.
https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.113.001258Wehrmacher WH, Bellows R. Unstable angina. Compr Ther. 2004 Spring;30(1):6-9. doi: 10.1007/s12019-004-0018-y. PMID: 15162586.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12019-004-0018-yWallace WA, Richeson JF, Yu PN. Unstable angina pectoris. Clin Cardiol. 1990 Oct;13(10):679-86. doi: 10.1002/clc.4960131002. PMID: 2257708.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/clc.4960131002