Chest pain can be serious – don't ignore it
Chest pain can occur suddenly or develop slowly over time. If you have chest pain, you should seek urgent medical help.
Symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain as well as:
- pain spreading to shoulders, arms, throat, neck, jaw or back
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- dizziness or weakness
- nausea or vomiting.
Symptoms of heart attack can vary from person to person. Some people may have few symptoms or none at all.
When to call a doctor
If you have new or unexplained chest pain, see a doctor or seek urgent medical help by calling 000.
Heart-related causes of chest pain include:
- heart attack – resulting from blocked blood flow
- angina – a term for chest pain caused by poor blood flow
- aortic disease.
Other causes of chest pain include:
- indigestion or reflux
- chest muscle strains
- inflamed rib joints
- gallbladder or pancreas problems.
Immediate tests for chest pain include:
- electrocardiogram (ECG)
- blood tests
- chest x-ray
- computerised tomography (CT scan).
There are many treatments available for chest pain. Treatment approaches vary and depend on the source of the chest pain as well as any other pre-existing conditions or symptoms.
Common treatments for chest pain include lifestyle modifications, medications, procedures or surgery.
Risk factors include:
- unhealthy eating
- obesity
- being physically inactive
- high cholesterol
- high blood pressure
- diabetes
- family history of heart disease
- age.