While chest pain may be caused by problems in the muscles, lungs, esophagus, ribs, or nerves the most concerning cause of chest pain is from underlying heart disease. Chest pain, also known as angina, originating from the heart could cause pain anywhere from the abdomen to the neck. It sometimes radiates to the arms or jaw. Sometimes people describe a squeezing or tightness in the chest that may be accompanied by sweating or shortness of breath.

Chest Pain and Heart Disease

Chest pain caused by heart disease is usually due to blockage in the arteries supplying the heart. It is identified usually with the use of Electrocardiogram (ECG, EKG) or stress test. If chest pain persists despite rest this may be a sign that you are having a heart attack, call 911 or obtain emergency medical help.

Paying Attention to Chest Pain Symptoms

Proper attention to the level of the pain and associated symptoms can be used as an initial measure suggesting whether the origin may be cardiac or not. When the symptoms point to a cardiac issue a stress test is highly recommended in order to help decipher the severity and cause. While associated symptoms help to understand possible cardiac issues it is important to note that serious heart disease can exist without “typical symptoms”.

n order to discover more about chest pain and its potential causes and ramifications please view this PDF by the American Heart Association.

If you have more symptoms other then just chest pain visit our conditions page for a complete list.