Chest pain is discomfort or pain felt in the chest area. It can arise from the heart, lungs, digestive tract, muscles or psychological factors; its seriousness is evaluated while the cause is being determined.
Pain in the chest can be sharp or stabbing, squeezing or pressure-like, burning, or a dull ache. It may be brief or prolonged, constant or changing with movement or breathing. The character of the pain and any accompanying symptoms help clinicians narrow the likely causes.
Many organ systems can cause chest pain. Cardiac causes such as ischemia are important and may require urgent assessment. Lung-related causes include pleurisy, pneumonia and pulmonary embolism. Digestive causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease and esophageal spasm. Musculoskeletal problems (muscle strain, costochondritis) and anxiety or panic attacks are also frequent sources.
If chest pain starts suddenly, is severe or gets worse, or occurs with shortness of breath, fainting, heavy sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or shoulder, seek emergency medical attention immediately. These can be signs of a life-threatening condition.
Initial evaluation is often done by primary care or emergency medicine and includes medical history, physical exam and assessment of risk factors. Tests such as electrocardiography (ECG), chest X‑ray, blood tests or other imaging may be used. Depending on findings, referral to cardiology, pulmonology, gastroenterology or mental health services may be recommended.
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