When Chest Pain Is an Emergency and When It’s Not

On February 16, 2025 By newsroom Topic: Health And Fitness Skills

Chest pain can range from harmless to life-threatening. Here's how to recognize the signs and take the right action.

When Chest Pain Might Not Be Serious

Common Causes:
Gas, heartburn, or rib cartilage inflammation.
Anxiety or stress.
Symptoms:
Discomfort that is mild or familiar (e.g., recurring heartburn).
Gradual worsening of chronic issues like angina.
What to Do:
Consult your doctor ASAP if the pain is not new, feels familiar, and has already been evaluated.

When Chest Pain Signals an Emergency

Potentially Life-Threatening Causes:
Heart Attack: Blockage in an artery delivering oxygen to the heart.
Aortic Dissection: Tear in the main blood vessel delivering blood to the body.
Pulmonary Embolism: Blood clot in the lungs.
Esophagus Rupture: Tear in the tube connecting throat to stomach.
Symptoms to Watch For:
Sudden or new pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, shoulders, arms, neck, back, upper abdomen, or jaw.
Chest discomfort with fatigue, shortness of breath, or fainting.

What to Do in an Emergency

Call 911 immediately.
- Don’t delay by researching symptoms or contacting your doctor first.
- Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Paramedics can administer medications en route and prepare the hospital team for your arrival.

Err on the Side of Caution:
- It’s better to rule out a life-threatening issue than delay critical care.
- Don’t hesitate to call for help, even if it turns out to be minor.

Summing it up

Acute chest pain is always a reason to seek emergency care.
Familiar or chronic chest discomfort may warrant a doctor’s consultation rather than an ER visit.
For sudden, intense symptoms, time is critical—act fast to increase chances of survival.

“We can joke about it being gas later,” says cardiologist Martha Gulati, MD, “but it’s better to be safe than sorry.”