What causes chest pain?

Heart-related pain may feel like pressure, squeezing, heaviness, or discomfort spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or neck. [Angina](/conditions/angina/) can cause symptoms with exertion, while a [Heart Attack](/conditions/heart-attack/) can cause persistent or severe discomfort and may include sweating, nausea, breathlessness, or faintness.

Lung causes include infection such as [Pneumonia](/conditions/pneumonia/) and a clot such as [Pulmonary Embolism](/conditions/pulmonary-embolism/). Burning or upper-abdominal discomfort may arise from [Gastritis](/conditions/gastritis/) or a [Peptic Ulcer](/conditions/peptic-ulcer/). Chest-wall strain, inflamed joints, nerve irritation, shingles, and [Panic Disorder](/conditions/panic-disorder/) are other possibilities. The feel, trigger, duration, and associated symptoms guide assessment.

Stop exertion and note when the pain began, where it is, what it feels like, and whether breathing or movement changes it. Do not drive yourself if the pain is severe, persistent, or accompanied by breathlessness or faintness. Even pain that feels like indigestion should be assessed when it is new, unexplained, or linked with exertion. A clinician may need to examine you and check the heart and lungs.

Call emergency services for chest pain that is severe, lasting, worsening, or associated with breathlessness, cold sweat, nausea, fainting, blue lips, confusion, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or neck. Sudden chest pain with difficulty breathing or coughing blood is also urgent. Do not wait for the pain to become unbearable, and do not assume anxiety is the cause before serious conditions have been considered.

Ask: Does the pattern suggest a heart, lung, digestive, muscle, nerve, or anxiety-related cause? Do I need urgent tests? Which changes should prompt emergency help, and what activity is safe while the cause is being assessed?