Chest Pain: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have pain with a band-shaped rash?

See the significance of pain with a band-shaped rash if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

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

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Do you have pain with a band-shaped rash on one side of your chest?

Note:

Call your doctor as soon as possible. If shingles is causing your symptoms, there may be a medicine you can take that will limit the pain and rash. Medicines are most effective if begun within 2 to 3 days of the start of the rash.

You may wait to see if the symptoms improve over the next 24 hours (or specified time period) if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you had chest discomfort that spreads in a band-shaped area on one side of the chest for more than 3 to 4 days?

Note:

If a rash develops, call your doctor as soon as possible. There may be a medicine you can take to help the pain and rash.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

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