How to tell if chest pain is serious. Some types of chest pain should send you to the emergency room — particularly if it lasts for at least five minutes. Symptoms could include new or unexplained chest pain coupled with shortness of breath, a cold sweat, nausea, fatigue or lightheadedness.

What chest pain is not serious?

In most people, non-cardiac chest pain is related to a problem with the esophagus, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease. Other causes include muscle or bone problems, lung conditions or diseases, stomach problems, stress, anxiety, and depression.

How long should chest pain last?

Chest pain can be sharp or dull. You may feel tightness, achiness, or you may feel like your chest is being crushed or squeezed. Chest pain is often intermittent (lasting for seconds, minutes to hours), but it can also be chronic, which means it lasts six months or longer.

How would you describe chest pain?

Pressure, fullness, burning or tightness in your chest. Crushing or searing pain that spreads to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms. Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity. Shortness of breath.

What to do if you have chest pains?

Stop what you’re doing,and sit or lie down.

What kind of chest pain is worrisome?

Based on research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), chest pain is a commonly reported symptom. Because the heart is located on the left side of the chest cavity, people typically find pain in this region to be worrisome and associate it with heart problems.

What causes chest pain that feels like heartburn?

Heart pain and heartburn from acid reflux feel similar partly because the heart and esophagus are located close to each other and share a nerve network. Esophageal contraction disorders. Uncoordinated muscle contractions (spasms) and high-pressure contractions (nutcracker esophagus) are problems in the esophagus that can cause chest pain.