Chest pain describes many different sensations, such as a sharp pain, dull ache, pressure, or burning and can signal many different conditions, including a heart attack. It should always be taken seriously.

What to Do

  • Call 911
  • Sit or lie down
  • Do NOT go to the hospital in a private car. You might need emergency care on the way to the hospital — which ambulance staff can provide.

Common Causes

Chest pain can be caused by a number of health conditions. Many of these are serious, and some are medical emergencies.

  • Heart conditions: angina, aortic dissection, coronary artery disease, heart attack, heart failure, heart valve disease, pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)
  • Lung conditions: pulmonary embolism (blood clot in your lungs), inflammation of lung membranes that can happen with pneumonia (pleurisy)
  • Other conditions: heartburn, inflammation of the rib or cartilage connecting the rib (costochondritis)

  • Heart Attack

    • Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, or squeezing pain in the center of the chest
    • Lasts more than a few minutes
    • Can spread to the shoulders, neck, or arms
    • Can be accompanied by lightheadedness, fainting, sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath
    • Call 911

© 2018 Intermountain Healthcare. All rights reserved. The content presented here is for your information only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, and it should not be used to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease. Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns.