Chest Pain: Check Your Symptoms

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Check Your Symptoms

If you answer yes to any of the following questions, click on the "Yes" in front of the question for information about how soon to see a health professional.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Yes

Have you been diagnosed with angina and your angina is occurring more often or is getting worse?

Yes

Have you had symptoms that you think may be related to a problem with your heart, but all symptoms are gone now?

Yes

Have you had a recent injury to the chest?

Yes

Do you have pain when you breathe but you do not have symptoms of a heart attack?

Yes

Do you have pain in your chest muscles or ribs (chest wall pain)? Note: Pain may or may not increase with coughing or deep breathing.

Yes

Do you have pain in your chest and a fever?

Yes

Do you have pain with a band-shaped rash?

Yes

Have you had mild pain in your chest without symptoms of a heart attack?

Yes

Do you think your chest pain may be caused by a medicine?

Other Symptoms to Watch For

Do you have any of the following symptoms?

• Pain that started in the upper belly and may be caused by heartburn: Go to the topic Heartburn.
• Pain that is actually located in the back or neck: Go to the topic Back Problems and Injuries or Neck Problems and Injuries.
• Repeated pain in your chest or fullness or tightness that may be caused by hyperventilation: Go to the topic Hyperventilation.

If a visit to a health professional is not needed immediately, see the Home Treatment section for self-care information.

Last updated:	April 27, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer