Chest Pain? Why Your Chest Is Aching and Medically Approved Next Steps

Chest pain can feel scary. It's one of the most common reasons people seek urgent medical care—and for good reason. While many causes of chest pain are not life-threatening, some can be serious and require immediate attention.

Understanding why your chest is aching can help you respond calmly and appropriately. Below, you'll learn the most common causes of chest pain, how to recognize warning signs, and the medically approved next steps you should take.

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First: When Is Chest Pain an Emergency?

Some types of chest pain require immediate medical care.

Call emergency services right away if you have chest pain along with:

• Pressure, tightness, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest
• Pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, shoulder, or back
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea or vomiting
• Cold sweats
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Sudden severe chest pain that feels "tearing"
• Chest pain with a fast or irregular heartbeat

These can be signs of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung), or aortic dissection (a tear in a major artery). These are medical emergencies.

If you're unsure whether your chest pain is serious, it's always safer to get evaluated immediately.

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Common Causes of Chest Pain

Not all chest pain comes from the heart. In fact, many cases are related to muscles, digestion, or anxiety. Here are the most common causes.

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1. Heart-Related Chest Pain

Heart conditions are the most concerning causes of chest pain.

Angina

Angina happens when the heart muscle doesn't get enough oxygen-rich blood. It often feels like:

• Pressure or squeezing in the chest
• Pain triggered by exertion or stress
• Relief with rest

Angina is a warning sign of coronary artery disease.

Heart Attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Symptoms may include:

• Intense chest pressure or fullness
• Pain spreading to the arm or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Nausea and sweating

Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have more subtle symptoms like fatigue or mild discomfort.

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2. Digestive Causes of Chest Pain

Digestive problems are a very common cause of chest pain.

Acid Reflux (GERD)

Stomach acid flowing back into the esophagus can cause:

• Burning chest pain (heartburn)
• A sour taste in the mouth
• Pain that worsens after eating or lying down

This type of chest pain can sometimes feel similar to heart-related pain, which is why medical evaluation is important if you're unsure.

Esophageal Spasm

Muscle spasms in the esophagus can cause sudden, intense chest pain that mimics heart pain.

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3. Musculoskeletal Chest Pain

Pain from muscles, bones, or cartilage in the chest wall is very common.

Costochondritis

This is inflammation of the cartilage connecting ribs to the breastbone. It may cause:

• Sharp or aching chest pain
• Pain that worsens with movement or pressing on the chest

Muscle Strain

Heavy lifting, intense exercise, or coughing can strain chest muscles.

Musculoskeletal chest pain often:

• Gets worse with movement
• Is tender to touch
• Improves with rest

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4. Lung-Related Causes

Lung conditions can also cause chest pain.

Pulmonary Embolism

A blood clot in the lung may cause:

• Sudden sharp chest pain
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid heart rate
• Cough (sometimes with blood)

This is a medical emergency.

Pneumonia

Infection in the lungs can cause:

• Chest pain when breathing or coughing
• Fever
• Cough
• Fatigue

Pleurisy

Inflammation of the lining around the lungs can cause sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing.

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5. Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Anxiety can cause real, intense chest pain.

A panic attack may include:

• Chest tightness
• Rapid heartbeat
• Shortness of breath
• Dizziness
• Fear of losing control

Even if anxiety is suspected, first-time or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated by a medical professional.

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How Doctors Evaluate Chest Pain

If you seek medical care for chest pain, a doctor may:

• Ask detailed questions about your symptoms
• Perform a physical exam
• Order an ECG (electrocardiogram)
• Run blood tests to check heart enzymes
• Order a chest X-ray or CT scan
• Recommend stress testing or imaging

These tests help rule out serious causes and guide treatment.

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Medically Approved Next Steps for Chest Pain

If you are currently experiencing severe or concerning symptoms, seek emergency care immediately.

If your chest pain is mild or unclear, here's what you can do:

1. Don't Ignore It

Even if the pain seems minor, persistent or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated.

2. Assess Your Risk Factors

You may be at higher risk for heart-related chest pain if you:

• Smoke
• Have high blood pressure
• Have high cholesterol
• Have diabetes
• Have a family history of heart disease
• Are over age 45 (men) or 55 (women)

If you have risk factors, take chest pain more seriously.

3. Track Your Symptoms

Note:

• When the pain started
• What it feels like (sharp, dull, pressure, burning)
• What makes it better or worse
• Any associated symptoms

This information helps your doctor.

4. Consider a Structured Symptom Assessment

If you're unsure what your chest pain might mean, you can use a free AI-powered chest pain symptom checker to help you understand possible causes and determine whether you should seek urgent care right away or schedule a routine appointment.

Online tools are not a substitute for a doctor, but they can provide helpful guidance.

5. Speak to a Doctor

Any new, persistent, or unexplained chest pain deserves medical attention.

Make an appointment with your healthcare provider if:

• The pain lasts more than a few days
• It keeps coming back
• It interferes with daily activities
• You're worried about what it could mean

And again—if symptoms are severe or concerning, seek emergency care immediately.

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How Chest Pain Is Treated

Treatment depends entirely on the cause.

• Heart-related chest pain: Medications, procedures to open blocked arteries, lifestyle changes
• Acid reflux: Antacids, acid-reducing medication, diet changes
• Muscle strain: Rest, anti-inflammatory medication, gentle stretching
• Anxiety-related chest pain: Therapy, stress management, breathing exercises, sometimes medication
• Lung conditions: Antibiotics, blood thinners, or other targeted treatments

The key is accurate diagnosis.

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Can You Prevent Chest Pain?

Not all chest pain is preventable, but you can reduce your risk of serious causes by:

• Not smoking
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol
• Staying physically active
• Eating a balanced diet
• Managing stress
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting regular checkups

Heart health especially improves with consistent lifestyle habits.

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The Bottom Line

Chest pain has many possible causes—some minor, some life-threatening. The challenge is that serious and non-serious causes can feel similar.

Do not ignore:

• Pressure or squeezing chest pain
• Pain spreading to the arm or jaw
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating or nausea

When in doubt, seek emergency care.

For milder or unclear symptoms, consider using a free AI-powered chest pain symptom checker to better understand what you're experiencing and whether immediate care is needed, and follow up with a healthcare professional for proper evaluation.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor about any chest pain that concerns you—especially if it could be life-threatening or serious. Acting quickly can make all the difference.

Your health is too important to guess.