Document type
Clinical pathways
Place
South and West Hertfordshire
Output type
Clinical Pathways
Pathway
Chest Pain | SWH

Chest Pain

Most chest pain is not a sign of anything serious but get medical advice just in case. Get immediate medical help if you think you're having a heart attack.

Common causes of chest pain

Chest pain has many different causes. In most cases, chest pain is not caused by a heart problem.

Your symptoms might give you an idea of the cause. Do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried.

 

Chest pain symptoms and possible causes
Chest pain symptoms Possible cause

Starts after eating, bringing up food or bitter tasting fluids, feeling full and bloated

Heartburn or indigestion

Starts after chest injury or chest exercise, may get worse when you breathe in, feels better when resting the muscle

Chest sprain or strain

An often sharp, continuous pain triggered by worries or a stressful situation, heartbeat gets faster, sweating, dizziness

Anxietydepression or panic attack

Gets worse when you breathe in, coughing up yellow or green mucus, high temperature

Chest infection, pneumonia or pleurisy

Tingling feeling on skin, skin rash appears that turns into blisters

Shingles

 

Chest pain and heart problems

The most common heart problems that cause chest pain include:


  • Pericarditis – which usually causes a sudden, sharp, stabbing pain that gets worse when you breathe deeply or lie down
  • Angina or a heart attack – which have similar symptoms but a heart attack is life-threatening
  • You're more likely to have heart problems if you're older or are at risk of coronary heart disease.


For example, you may be at risk of coronary heart disease if you:

  • Smoke
  • Are living with obesity
  • Have high blood pressure, diabetes or high cholesterol
  • Have a history of heart attacks or angina in family members under 60 years old

Please see pathway attached for further information. 

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