Chest Pain: Recognising the Warning Signs
Some causes are emergencies, others are benign.
Dr. Marc Aubry
Cardiologist
Central, oppressive, radiating to arm or jaw, triggered by exertion, accompanied by sweating, nausea, breathlessness — call emergency services.
Other serious causes
- Pulmonary embolism (sudden breathlessness)
- Aortic dissection (tearing pain to back)
- Pneumothorax (sudden one-sided pain)
- Pneumonia, pericarditis
Benign causes
Musculoskeletal (reproducible with palpation), gastro-oesophageal reflux, anxiety/panic attacks.
Investigation
ECG, troponin, sometimes chest imaging. Stress testing or coronary CT for ongoing suspicion.
When in doubt, call emergency services: ruling out a heart attack is straightforward in hospital and dangerous at home.
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