Chest Pain Overview

If you are having severe pain, crushing, squeezing, or pressure in your chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or if the pain moves into your neck, left shoulder, arm, or jaw, go immediately to a hospital emergency department. Do not drive yourself. Call 911 for emergency transport.

 

Chest pain is one of the most frightening symptoms a person can have. It is sometimes difficult even for a doctor or other medical professional to tell what is causing chest pain and whether it is life-threatening.

 

Any part of the chest can be the cause of the pain including the heart, lungs, esophagus, muscle, bone, and skin.

 

Because of the complex nerve distribution in the body, chest pain may actually originate from another part of the body.

 

The stomach or other organs in the belly (abdomen), for example, can cause chest pain.