Heart & Circulation

Chest Pain Symptoms — When to Call 911

Learn when chest pain is an emergency, common causes, and what tests doctors may use to find the cause.

2 min read

Intro

Chest pain can range from mild discomfort to a crushing sensation that signals a heart attack. Because the stakes are high, it’s always safer to err on the side of caution.

Key Points

  • Call emergency services immediately if chest pain is severe, sudden, or associated with breathlessness, fainting, or sweating.
  • Not all chest pain is from the heart — lungs, stomach, and muscles can also be involved.
  • An ECG and blood tests are first-line hospital checks.
  • Younger adults, especially women, can have heart attacks from causes other than blocked arteries.

🚨 Red Flags

  • Sudden, severe, or crushing chest pain.
  • Pain radiating to the arm, jaw, neck, or back.
  • Associated shortness of breath, nausea, or fainting.
  • Blue lips or collapse — call 911 immediately.

Background

Chest pain can arise from many sources:

  • Heart-related: heart attack, angina, pericarditis.
  • Lung-related: pulmonary embolism, pneumonia, pleurisy.
  • Digestive: reflux, gallbladder disease.
  • Musculoskeletal: costochondritis, strain.
  • Other: anxiety, panic attacks, shingles.

Diagnosis and Treatment

  • In the ER: ECG, troponin blood tests, chest X-ray.
  • Hospital care: stents, medications, oxygen if needed.
  • If non-cardiac: treat underlying cause (antacids, antibiotics, rest).

FAQ

Q: When is chest pain a medical emergency?
A: If chest pain is sudden, severe, crushing, or associated with shortness of breath, fainting, nausea, or sweating — call emergency services immediately.

Q: What are common non-cardiac causes of chest pain?
A: Heartburn, anxiety, muscle strain, lung infections, and even shingles can mimic chest pain.

Q: What tests might be done in the ER?
A: Doctors may order an ECG, blood tests (troponin), chest X-ray, or CT scan depending on the suspected cause.

Q: Can younger adults have serious chest pain?
A: Yes. While heart disease is more common with age, conditions like spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) or pulmonary embolism can occur in younger patients.

Further Reading

⚠️ Educational only; not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always call emergency services if chest pain is sudden, severe, or unexplained.