How do you check for chest pain? A guide to assessing symptoms

October 1, 2025 •

3 min read

According to the CDC, approximately 805,000 Americans have a heart attack each year. Understanding how do you check for chest pain can be a critical skill. This authoritative guide will walk you through assessing your symptoms and distinguishing between minor discomfort and a medical emergency.

Quick Summary

Checking for chest pain involves evaluating the nature, location, and duration of the pain, along with any accompanying symptoms like shortness of breath, nausea, or radiating pain. Immediate medical attention is necessary if symptoms suggest a heart attack, while other causes like musculoskeletal issues or indigestion might be less urgent.

Key Points

Symptom Assessment: Evaluate the type, location, and triggers of the pain to determine its potential cause.
Heart Attack Awareness: Recognize the tell-tale signs of a heart attack, such as crushing pressure, radiating pain, and shortness of breath.
Emergency Action: Call emergency services immediately if you suspect a heart attack or the symptoms are severe and persistent.
Differential Diagnosis: Understand that chest pain can stem from various sources, including cardiac, musculoskeletal, and digestive issues.
Doctor's Consultation: Always follow up with a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis of non-emergency chest pain.
Record Keeping: Keep a log of your chest pain symptoms to provide a clear history for your doctor.

Understanding the Nature of Chest Pain

Chest pain is a symptom, not a diagnosis, and can be caused by a wide range of issues, from simple indigestion to a life-threatening heart attack. The first step in assessing the situation is to remain calm and pay close attention to the specific characteristics of the pain. This helps in determining the potential cause and the urgency of medical care.

Key Questions to Ask Yourself

To properly evaluate your chest pain, ask yourself the following questions. Your answers will provide valuable information to medical professionals.

What does the pain feel like? Is it a sharp, stabbing pain, a dull ache, a crushing pressure, or a burning sensation?
Where is the pain located? Is it in the center of your chest, to one side, or does it radiate to your arm, neck, jaw, or back?
When did the pain start? Did it begin suddenly or come on gradually? Is it constant or does it come and go?
What makes the pain better or worse? Does it change with movement, deep breaths, or resting? Does it subside with an antacid?
Are there any other symptoms? Are you experiencing shortness of breath, dizziness, cold sweats, nausea, or extreme fatigue?

Distinguishing Heart-Related Chest Pain from Other Causes

It's crucial to differentiate between chest pain that indicates a cardiac event and pain from other, less serious issues.

Symptoms of a Possible Heart Attack

A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency. Symptoms can vary widely among individuals, so never ignore these warning signs:

Pressure, tightness, squeezing, or a crushing sensation in the center of your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back.
Pain that radiates to your shoulder, arm, back, neck, or jaw.
Shortness of breath.
Cold sweat.
Nausea or vomiting.
Lightheadedness or dizziness.

Other Common Causes of Chest Pain

Not all chest pain is heart-related.

Musculoskeletal pain: Often a sharp, localized pain that worsens with movement or pressure. Causes can include a strained muscle or a broken rib.
Indigestion or Acid Reflux (GERD): A burning sensation behind the breastbone, often occurring after eating.
Anxiety or Panic Attack: Can cause a feeling of a pounding heart, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.
Pleurisy: Inflammation of the lining of the lungs, causing sharp chest pain, especially when breathing deeply.

When to Seek Emergency Medical Attention

Never hesitate to call emergency services if you suspect a heart attack. If you or someone else is experiencing chest pain combined with any of the heart attack symptoms listed above, seek help immediately. Time is critical for a positive outcome.

A Comparison of Common Chest Pain Causes


Feature	Heart Attack	Acid Reflux	Musculoskeletal Pain
Nature of Pain	Crushing, squeezing, tightness	Burning, acidic	Sharp, achy
Location	Center chest, radiating to arm/jaw	Lower chest, behind breastbone	Specific spot, tender to touch
Trigger	Exertion, stress	Eating, lying down	Movement, palpation
Relief	Nitroglycerin, hospital care	Antacids	Rest, stretching
Other Symptoms	Sweating, shortness of breath, nausea	Sour taste, regurgitation	Increased pain with specific movements

Your Assessment: What to Do Next

If you've assessed your chest pain and it doesn't align with a heart attack, it's still important to follow up with a healthcare provider.

Steps for Non-Emergency Chest Pain

Monitor Your Symptoms: Keep a detailed record of the pain, including when it occurs, what it feels like, and what triggers it.
Contact Your Doctor: Schedule an appointment to discuss your symptoms.
Consider Over-the-Counter Remedies: For minor pain, such as from a strained muscle, a cold or hot compress or a simple pain reliever might help, but only after consulting with a pharmacist or doctor.

For more in-depth information on cardiovascular health, you can refer to authoritative sources like the American Heart Association.

Conclusion: Prioritizing Your Health

Knowing how do you check for chest pain is a vital skill that can help you make informed decisions about your health. By carefully assessing the nature and accompanying symptoms, you can better understand the potential cause of your discomfort. While it's important to differentiate between serious and less serious causes, the rule of thumb is always to err on the side of caution. If there is any doubt, especially if the pain is accompanied by classic heart attack symptoms, seek immediate medical care. This proactive approach can save your life and ensure you get the right treatment when you need it most.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, a panic or anxiety attack can cause a physical sensation of chest tightness, a pounding heart, and shortness of breath, which can be mistaken for a heart attack.

To check for heartburn, look for a burning sensation behind your breastbone, often after eating or when lying down. It might be relieved by antacids, unlike heart-related pain.

You should call 911 immediately if your chest pain is accompanied by symptoms like shortness of breath, dizziness, cold sweats, or if it feels like a crushing pressure.

Heart-related chest pain is more often described as a dull ache or pressure. A sharp, stabbing pain that worsens with deep breathing or movement is more likely to be musculoskeletal.

Yes, some people, especially women and diabetics, can experience a 'silent' heart attack with no chest pain. They may have other symptoms like extreme fatigue, nausea, or shortness of breath.

Angina is a specific type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It often feels like squeezing or pressure and is typically triggered by exertion, whereas general chest pain can have many different causes.

If a family member has chest pain, have them sit down and remain calm. If you suspect a heart attack, call emergency services immediately and do not drive them to the hospital yourself.