What should you do when your chest hurts?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Chest pain can have many causes, ranging from minor issues like muscle strain or acid reflux to serious conditions such as a heart attack, pulmonary embolism, or angina. To assess your chest pain, first evaluate your overall condition and look for accompanying symptoms like sudden fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, shortness of breath, or pain radiating to the arm or jaw. If any of these are present, seek emergency medical care immediately. For milder or unclear symptoms, consult a doctor promptly to determine the cause.

Because chest pain can signal anything from a simple strain to a life-threatening emergency, understanding your symptoms early is critical. Take a free, instant, online symptom check to better identify possible causes and confidently navigate your next steps.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn what could be causing chest pain See if chest pain needs urgent care Discover whether chest pain is serious Find OTC options for chest pain relief Find a doctor for chest pain Understand home remedies for chest pain Check likely causes of your chest pain

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Explanation

When your chest hurts, the first thing to do is to pay attention to your symptoms. Ask yourself if the pain is new or if it feels different from what you've had before. If you have chest pain along with other signs like trouble breathing, pain spreading to your arm or jaw, sweating, or feeling very dizzy, it's important to call emergency services right away because these can be signs of a heart problem. However, if the pain seems less severe or you think it might be due to something like acid reflux, you can use a free symptom checker tool to help understand what might be causing your discomfort, though you should still contact your doctor for advice. Your doctor might ask you questions about your symptoms, check your heart, and possibly recommend further tests like an EKG or blood tests to make sure your heart and lungs are healthy. In some cases, doctors will consider if medications that reduce stomach acid might help if they suspect that acid reflux is causing your discomfort. Always seek professional guidance when chest pain occurs because many conditions can cause chest pain, and it's best to be safe.

(References)

Flook N, Unge P, Agréus L, Karlson BW, Nilsson S. Approach to managing undiagnosed chest pain: could gastroesophageal reflux disease be the cause? Can Fam Physician. 2007 Feb;53(2):261-6. Erratum in: Can Fam Physician. 2007 Jul;53(7):1148. PMID: 17872643; PMCID: PMC1949125.
Fox KF. Investigation and management of chest pain. Heart. 2005 Jan;91(1):105-10. doi: 10.1136/hrt.2003.031062. PMID: 15604354; PMCID: PMC1768663.
Inoue K, Minamino T. How to Approach Patients with Acute Chest Pain. Rev Cardiovasc Med. 2024 Aug 22;25(8):302. doi: 10.31083/j.rcm2508302. PMID: 39228492; PMCID: PMC11366986.

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