If you think it's an emergency, call 911 now. Don't wait to read this page.
When should I get care for chest pain?
Find the first group that matches. Each one is a MySymptom care level, from most to least urgent.
Call 911 now
- Chest pressure, squeezing or pain that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back
- Chest pain with shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness
- Pain that spreads to the arm, jaw, neck, back or shoulder
Go to the ER now
- New chest pain in an adult that is not clearly from a strained muscle
- Chest pain after recent surgery or a long trip, or with one swollen leg (possible blood clot)
Call your doctor today
- Chest pain that keeps coming back over days or weeks
- Any chest pain that worries you, even if it is mild
Book a visit
- Heartburn that keeps returning despite diet changes
- Chest discomfort with a lasting cough or weight loss you can't explain
What does chest pain feel like?
Chest pain can feel like sharp stabbing, dull aching, burning, squeezing, pressure, or tightness. It may be in the center of the chest, off to one side, in the upper chest near the collarbones, or lower near the stomach. Some types worsen with deep breaths, certain positions, or pressing on the chest wall, these are usually musculoskeletal. Pressure or squeezing that comes on with exertion and eases with rest is a classic cardiac pattern and should be taken seriously.
What causes chest pain?
Chest pain is one of the most anxiety-provoking symptoms anyone can experience, because the heart sits right behind the breastbone. The reality is that most chest pain is not caused by a heart attack, muscles, the rib cage, the esophagus, the lungs, and even anxiety can all create pain in this area. Still, because the consequences of missing a true cardiac event are so serious, chest pain deserves a careful, calm assessment every single time.
The goal of this page is not to replace an emergency call. It is to help you understand the wide range of things that can cause chest discomfort, and to make the warning signs of something more serious very easy to recognize. If anything you read here matches your experience and you are worried, the safest move is always to seek urgent medical help. No one will ever judge you for being cautious about chest pain.
Muscle strain or rib injury
Lifting, coughing hard, or even sleeping in an awkward position can strain the muscles between the ribs. The pain is usually sharp, worse with movement, and tender when you press on the spot.
Acid reflux (heartburn)
Stomach acid washing up into the esophagus produces a burning sensation behind the breastbone, often after meals or when lying down.
Anxiety or panic attacks
Anxiety can cause real, intense chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, and a feeling of not being able to breathe. The symptoms are genuine even when no physical illness is present.
Costochondritis
Inflammation of the cartilage where the ribs meet the breastbone causes localized, sharp chest pain that worsens with deep breaths or pressing on the area.
Respiratory infections
Bronchitis, pneumonia, and even a bad cold can irritate the chest and cause pain, especially when coughing or breathing deeply.
Cardiac causes
Angina (reduced blood flow to the heart) and heart attacks typically cause pressure, tightness, or squeezing in the center or left side of the chest, sometimes radiating to the arm, jaw, or back.
How can I ease chest pain at home?
We don't list home care for new chest pain. Get it checked first.
Common questions about chest pain
How do I tell heart pain from heartburn?
Heart-related pain is more often pressure or squeezing in the center of the chest, may spread to the arm or jaw, and is often triggered by exertion. Heartburn is more often a burning sensation behind the breastbone, comes after meals, and improves with antacids. When in doubt, get checked, the two can be hard to distinguish even for clinicians.
Can anxiety really cause chest pain?
Yes. Anxiety and panic attacks can produce very real chest tightness, palpitations, and shortness of breath. The body's stress response affects the heart and breathing in measurable ways. However, anxiety should only be considered the cause after heart causes have been ruled out, especially the first time it happens.
What does a heart attack actually feel like?
Most often, it's described as pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the center or left side of the chest, lasting more than a few minutes. It may come with shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, or back. Symptoms can be subtler in women, older adults, and people with diabetes.
Is sharp chest pain less worrying than dull pain?
Generally, sharp pain that worsens with breathing or pressing on the chest is more often musculoskeletal or related to the lining of the lungs. Dull pressure or tightness is more typical of cardiac causes. But this is a rough guide only, not a rule.
Sources
Written by Arhaan Delawalla from the public guidance above. Not reviewed by a clinician. Updated .
MySymptom gives general health information. It is not medical advice and can't tell you for sure what is causing your symptoms. If you are worried, contact a clinician. In an emergency, call your local emergency number. How answers work