MedDroid
Check my symptoms
Chest pain: causes, warning signs & what to do
Chest pain has many causes — from a pulled muscle or acid reflux to the heart. Some of it is an emergency. Here is how to tell what is usually harmless from what needs help now.
Common causes of chest pain
- Heart — angina or heart attack (pressure/tightness, often with breathlessness or sweating)
- Acid reflux / GERD — burning behind the breastbone, worse lying down
- Muscle or rib strain — sharp, worse on movement or pressing the spot
- Anxiety or panic attack — tightness with fast breathing and fear
- Lung causes — pneumonia, pleurisy or a clot (pulmonary embolism)
- Costochondritis — inflammation of rib-cartilage joints
When to see a doctor urgently
- Crushing or pressure-like pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back — call your local emergency number now
- Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or fainting
- Sudden severe pain with a racing heart or collapse
- Any chest pain that is new, severe or not settling — get seen urgently
Frequently asked questions
Is chest pain always a heart attack?
No — most chest pain is not a heart attack. But heart pain can be subtle, so pressure spreading to the arm or jaw, or pain with breathlessness or sweating, should be treated as an emergency.
How do I know if it is acid reflux or my heart?
Reflux tends to burn, follows meals and eases with antacids; heart pain tends to be pressure brought on by exertion. They can overlap, so when unsure, get checked — an ECG settles it quickly.
Explore more
Sources & further reading
- World Health Organization (WHO)
- MedlinePlus — U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, India
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
Reviewed by Dr. Sanjay Anbu, MBBS. MedDroid is an AI medical assistant and can make mistakes. It provides general health information, not a diagnosis or medical advice — always consult a qualified clinician. In an emergency, contact your local emergency number immediately.