Most chest pain is not a heart attack. It can come from muscles, acidity or anxiety. But some chest pain is an emergency, and waiting can cost heart muscle. This guide helps you tell the difference.
Go to emergency now if
- The pain feels like pressure, tightness or heaviness in the centre of the chest
- It spreads to the arm, jaw, neck or back
- It comes with sweating, breathlessness, nausea or dizziness
- It lasts more than a few minutes or keeps coming back
Do not drive yourself. Call an ambulance or ask someone to bring you. People with diabetes and older adults may feel only mild discomfort or breathlessness during a heart attack, so take these signs seriously.
Book a check-up soon if
- Chest discomfort comes on with exercise or climbing stairs and settles with rest
- You have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a family history of heart disease
- You smoke and are over 35
A simple ECG, echo and stress test can show whether the heart is the cause, and early treatment prevents heart attacks.