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Published on: 5/6/2025

What Might Cause Chest Pain and Nausea at Night?

Chest pain and nausea at night might be due to heart issues like reduced blood flow or a heart attack, but it can also be caused by acid reflux or other stomach problems.

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Explanation

When you feel chest pain along with nausea at night, one important possibility is a heart problem. For example, your heart may not be getting enough blood, which could signal conditions like an acute coronary syndrome, including a heart attack. This is a serious issue that needs prompt medical attention. Another common cause is acid reflux. This happens when stomach acid comes up into your esophagus (the tube that carries food to your stomach), which can hurt your chest and cause an upset stomach or nausea, especially when you lie down at night. Other possible reasons include stomach irritation, such as from gastritis, or even anxiety that can lead to similar feelings. Sometimes, these symptoms appear together in older adults or in cases where the symptoms may seem unusual. Doctors usually check your overall health and may run tests like an EKG or other imaging studies to find out what is causing these symptoms. Because chest pain and nausea can signal a serious problem, it is important to get help from a doctor as soon as possible.

(References)

  • Patel SM, Gard JJ, Sinak LJ. 78-year-old man with nausea and chest pain. Mayo Clin Proc. 2011 May;86(5):465-8. doi: 10.4065/mcp.2010.0524. PMID: 21531888; PMCID: PMC3084649.

  • Wouters LT, Zwart DL, Erkelens DC, Cheung NS, de Groot E, Damoiseaux RA, Hoes AW, Rutten FH. Chest discomfort at night and risk of acute coronary syndrome: cross-sectional study of telephone conversations. Fam Pract. 2020 Sep 5;37(4):473-478. doi: 10.1093/fampra/cmaa005. PMID: 31996901; PMCID: PMC7474533.

  • Fass R, Achem SR. Noncardiac chest pain: epidemiology, natural course and pathogenesis. J Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2011 Apr;17(2):110-23. doi: 10.5056/jnm.2011.17.2.110. Epub 2011 Apr 27. PMID: 21602987; PMCID: PMC3093002.

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