What Should You Do When Your Chest Hurts?

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 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.