Chest pain is one of those symptoms that can make you say to yourself—”Is this something little, or something big? ” It’s a sensation that millions of people experience annually, and although much of the time it proves to be nothing harmful, occasionally it’s your body’s way of waving a red flag.
The tricky thing is that chest pain does not always indicate a heart attack, and it does not always feel the same to different people. It may present itself in all sorts of ways—sudden, dull, burning, aching, stabbing, or like tight squeezing pressure. The pain may be in the middle of your chest, off to the side, or it may radiate to your back, jaw, or arm.
Lots of folks just go right toassuming it’s cardiac, and that makes sense. But pain in your chest can be caused by other areas of your body—your lungs, your digestive tract, your muscles and bones, or your mind.
Conditions such as acid reflux, muscle pull, or panic attack can feel eerily like something more sinister. When the pain appears on the left side of your chest, it’s particularly intimidating. Cardiac issues are usually the first thing that comes to mind—and deservedly so. Pain on the left side can be caused by heart attacks, clogged arteries, or inflammation in the region around the heart (known as pericarditis). It may hit suddenly and abruptly, such as with an aortic dissection, or more like a heavy crushing load that radiates into the shoulder or arm. But it’s not always the heart.
Lung conditions such as pneumonia, a blood clot, or a pneumothorax can also produce pain there, typically with symptoms such as shortness of breath or cough. And then there are gastrointestinal issues—such as gastritis, pancreatitis, or acid reflux—that may be a burning or achy pain.
And don’t forget musculoskeletal complaints: conditions such as a fractured rib or inflamed cartilage can even cause pain when you breathe. So, how do you know if chest pain is severe enough to go to the ER? There are some warning signs that you should never disregard. If the pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, or comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, confusion, or pain spreading to your jaw, back, or arm, it’s time to get help—fast. These could be signs of a heart attack or another serious condition where every minute matters.
Even if you’re unsure, it’s always better to play it safe and get checked out. If you do have to go to the ER with a complaint of chest pain, you’ll be taken care of by staff who are well-versed in rapidly treating it. They will begin by asking you questions—when the pain began, what the pain is like, where it radiates, and if you experience any other symptoms such as vomiting or passing out. They’ll probably run some tests, too: an electrocardiogram (ECG) to check your heart’s rhythm, blood tests to look for signs of heart damage, and maybe imaging like a chest X-ray or MRI.
The goal is to find out fast whether you’re facing something serious so they can start the right treatment right away. What happens next depends on what’s causing the pain. If it is a blocked artery or heart attack, you may receive drugs such as aspirin, blood thinners, or drugs to open your arteries, and in a few instances, emergency surgeries like angioplasty or surgery. If it is something within your lungs, you could receive oxygen, antibiotics, or procedures to address blood clots or a collapsed lung. Digestive causes may be treated using antacids or other drugs, whereas muscle or bone pain may only require rest and painkillers.
The emergency physicians’ role is to stabilize you and fix the immediate problem, but also, you need to follow up with your physician in order to prevent future complications. Disregarding chest pain or wishing it would go away can be a risky bet, particularly if it ends up being connected to your heart or lungs. Certain conditions, such as a ruptured aortic aneurysm or a bad lung infection, can prove deadly without swift treatment. It’s because of this that it’s crucial to tune in to your body, familiarize yourself with the warning signs, and get assistance when something doesn’t feel right.
You can’t avoid all the causes of chest pain, but a healthy lifestyle—good eating, regular exercise, maintaining healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and not using tobacco—can go a long way toward keeping your lungs and heart in good health.