Chest pain

What is chest pain?

Chest pain is discomfort or pain felt in the chest. It could be a sharp pain, a squeezing feeling, a dull ache, or pressure on the chest. It can also be felt on the left, right, or centre of the chest.

The pain can also spread to other parts of the upper body, including the arms, neck, jaw, stomach, or back. Pain in the chest can last for a few minutes, hours, or, in some cases, for six months or more.

Everybody experiences pain differently, and it can be difficult to describe what you’re feeling. However, it is important to seek medical help as chest pain can be a sign of something more serious.

When is it an emergency?

Don’t ignore chest pain. There are times when immediate attention is needed, as it could be a sign of a serious issue. 

If you notice that your chest pain is sudden, severe, and is felt in the centre or left side of your chest, call 999 or go to the hospital immediately. 

Other signs you should call the ambulance or go to the hospital include shortness of breath, nausea, dizziness, unexplained anxiety, fatigue, palpitations, or cold sweats. 

Risk factors

You are more likely to experience chest pain if you have a pre-existing heart condition. 

If you also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoke, are overweight or obese, and have had close family members with a history of heart attacks, you may be at a higher risk of experiencing chest pain. 

Causes

Chest pain can be caused by a wide range of issues connected to various parts of the body, such as the lungs, digestive system, muscles, skeletal system, or mental. Some are related to the heart. If your chest pain is caused by a heart condition, it may be the following: 

• Heart rhythm problems 
• Pericarditis  
• Myocarditis  
• Coronary artery dissection  
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (thick heart muscle) 
• Aortic aneurysm (weak area in your largest artery) 
• Aortic dissection (tear in your largest artery) 
• Aortic stenosis (heart valve that blocks blood flow because it doesn’t open) 
• Coronary artery disease  
• Heart failure 
• Heart attack (lack of blood to your heart) 

Common causes not related to the heart include heartburn, chest infection, injuries or inflammation, anxiety, shingles, and asthma.  

Explore our interactive symptom finder to discover whether other symptoms you may be experiencing are a sign of a heart condition. 

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