In which area is chest pain typically felt during a heart attack?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

A heart attack typically causes pain or pressure in the center of the chest, near the heart. This discomfort often radiates outward to other parts of the body, most commonly the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back. The sensation may feel like tightness, squeezing, heaviness, or burning, and can last several minutes or come and go. Recognizing where heart attack pain spreads is critical, as early identification can save a life.

Because heart attack symptoms can overlap with less serious conditions like acid reflux, muscle strain, or anxiety, it's difficult to know exactly what's causing your discomfort without guidance. Taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you quickly assess your symptoms, understand possible causes, and decide on the right next steps—whether that means seeking emergency care or scheduling a doctor's visit. Don't guess when it comes to your heart—get clarity in minutes.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/14/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if chest pain needs urgent care Discover what might be causing chest pain See whether chest pain could mean heart attack Find OTC options for chest pain relief Find a chest pain specialist nearby Understand home remedies for chest pain Check if chest pain needs medical attention

Not seeing your question? No worries.

Submit your own Question

Explanation

A heart attack commonly causes pain in the chest's central (or midline) area, especially around the center where the heart is located. This area is called the substernal region. The pain can feel heavy, tight or pressure-like.

Many people also notice that the pain moves or spreads to other parts of the body. It may travel to the left shoulder, left arm, and sometimes to the neck and jaw. In some cases, the pain may also go to the back. The spreading of pain happens because the nerves in the heart also connect to these nearby areas, so the brain might sometimes mix up where the pain is coming from.

Remember, chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack, and if someone experiences chest pain, even without other symptoms, it is important to seek help quickly. If you're unsure about your symptoms, you can use Ubie's free AI symptom checker to help assess your condition before contacting a healthcare provider.

(References)

Hickam DH. Chest Pain or Discomfort. In: Walker HK, Hall WD, Hurst JW, editors. Clinical Methods: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd edition. Boston: Butterworths; 1990. Chapter 9.
Updated 2022 Feb 18]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK355313/
Malik MA, Alam Khan S, Safdar S, Taseer IU. Chest Pain as a presenting complaint in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pak J Med Sci. 2013 Apr;29(2):565-8. doi: 10.12669/pjms.292.2921. PMID: 24353577; PMCID: PMC3809224.

Thinking about asking ChatGPT?Ask me instead

Tell your friends about us.

We would love to help them too.

For First Time Users

What is Ubie’s Doctor’s Note?

We provide a database of explanations from real doctors on a range of medical topics. Get started by exploring our library of questions and topics you want to learn more about.

Was this page helpful?

Purpose and positioning of servicesUbie Doctor's Note is a service for informational purposes. The provision of information by physicians, medical professionals, etc. is not a medical treatment. If medical treatment is required, please consult your doctor or medical institution. We strive to provide reliable and accurate information, but we do not guarantee the completeness of the content. If you find any errors in the information, please contact us.