Chest pain can be one of the most worrying symptoms we experience and understandably so. It’s often associated with heart problems, but not every type of chest pain is a sign of something serious. The challenge lies in knowing when to be concerned and when it might be something harmless like indigestion or anxiety.
As a cardiology specialists, we often see patients who aren’t sure if their chest pain needs urgent attention or just reassurance. We’ll explain what chest pain can mean, when to seek help, and what investigations might be recommended.
What Is Chest Pain?
'Chest pain' is a broad term. It can feel sharp, dull, heavy, burning, tight, or even like pressure. The pain might come and go, stay constant, or only happen during physical activity.
It’s not always felt directly over the heart. Some people experience it in the centre of the chest, on the left side, in the upper abdomen, or radiating to the arm, jaw or back. The key is to understand what type of pain might be heart-related and what isn’t.
When Is Chest Pain a Concern?
You should worry about chest pain when:
It feels tight, heavy, or like pressure in your chest
It radiates to your jaw, left arm, neck, or back
It occurs during exertion or stress and eases with rest
It’s accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness
You feel a racing, irregular heartbeat
You have a known heart condition or risk factors (e.g. high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, smoking, family history)
If you experience these symptoms suddenly, call 999 or go to A&E. You could be having a heart attack and every minute counts.
When Is Chest Pain Less Likely to Be Serious?
Chest pain is less likely to be heart-related when:
It’s sharp and worsens with movement or deep breathing
It’s localised to one spot and tender to the touch
It occurs after eating, especially if it feels like heartburn
You’re feeling anxious or stressed, and the pain comes with panic symptoms (e.g. rapid breathing, tingling)
With that being said, even if your pain feels 'mild' or you’re unsure, it’s still worth discussing with a GP or cardiologist especially if it keeps happening.
What Could Be Causing My Chest Pain?
1. Angina
Angina is chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart. It’s often brought on by physical activity or stress and relieved by rest. It may feel like pressure or tightness and can spread to the arm or jaw.
2. Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
This is caused by a blocked artery and is a medical emergency. It may feel similar to angina but more intense and longer-lasting. You may also feel breathless, nauseous or faint.
3. Musculoskeletal Pain
Pain from strained chest muscles, rib inflammation, or injury is usually sharp, worsens with movement or touch, and isn’t related to exercise or stress.
4. Gastro-oesophageal Reflux (Acid Reflux)
This can cause burning pain behind the breastbone after eating or when lying down. It’s not related to exertion and may improve with antacids.
5. Anxiety or Panic Attacks
Anxiety can cause real chest pain, along with palpitations, tingling, dizziness and fear. It’s important to rule out heart problems first, though.
6. Lung Conditions
Chest pain could stem from pleurisy (inflammation of lung lining), pneumonia, or even a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lung). These usually come with breathlessness, cough, or fever.
How Is Chest Pain Investigated?
If you see your GP or visit a clinic, we’ll typically start with a history and examination. Based on this, the following tests may be used:
Test | What it shows |
Heart rhythm and evidence of past or ongoing heart attacks | |
Markers like troponin (which rise during heart damage) | |
Lung problems or structural chest issues | |
A heart ultrasound to assess function and valves | |
Heart performance during exercise | |
Detailed imaging of the heart and arteries |
If you come to a private clinic like ours, we can usually arrange several of these tests on the same day or within a few days.
Is Chest Pain Common in Young Adults?
Yes, but it’s usually not heart-related. In younger adults, chest pain is more often due to anxiety, acid reflux, or musculoskeletal causes. However, don’t assume if there’s a strong family history, or you have high blood pressure or cholesterol, we may still recommend an ECG or heart scan to be cautious.
Should I Go Through the NHS or Private?
Both are valid. NHS care is excellent, but wait times vary by region and urgency, and can take a lot of time to go through. Non-urgent chest pain referrals may take 2 to 9 weeks, while urgent cases are prioritised.
Private clinics offer faster access and often provide a full chest pain assessment package, including tests and same-day results. If symptoms are persistent or causing anxiety, many patients find peace of mind in the private route.
What Happens If My Chest Pain Is Heart-Related?
If we find that your chest pain is caused by something like angina or early signs of heart disease, we’ll work with you on a management plan. This may include:
Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, stress reduction)
Medications (e.g. statins, beta blockers, blood thinners)
Further testing (e.g. angiogram)
Specialist referral if procedures like stenting are needed
The key is early detection. Many people live full, healthy lives after diagnosis with the right treatment.
To Summarise
Chest pain isn’t always dangerous but it should never be ignored. As a rule, if you’re not sure, get it checked. Especially if the pain is new, persistent, or associated with other symptoms like breathlessness, nausea, or dizziness.
At Heartsure, we help patients every day understand their chest pain and take the right steps. Whether it turns out to be nothing serious or the early signs of a bigger problem knowing where you stand is always better than guessing.
If you're worried about chest pain or want a full heart health check, get in touch. We’ll guide you through what’s appropriate and support you with clear answers.
