Q&A: Chest pressure
| Wellness | Healthy You | Aging Well
I had pressure/discomfort in my chest all last evening, and it’s gone today. Should I worry?
Yes, you should contact your physician or health care provider as soon as possible for guidance.
Causes of chest pain can vary from minor problems, such as indigestion or stress, to serious medical emergencies, such as heart attack or pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in the lungs). The specific cause of chest pain is often difficult to interpret.
Finding the cause of your chest pain can be challenging, especially if you’ve never had symptoms in the past. Even doctors may have a difficult time deciding if chest pain is a sign of a heart attack or something less serious, such as indigestion.
If you have unexplained chest pain or discomfort that lasts more than a few minutes, you should seek emergency medical assistance, rather than trying to diagnose the cause yourself. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, especially if it turns out you’re having a heart attack. Other possible symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Upper body pain or discomfort — it can affect one or both arms, the back, neck, shoulders, or jaw
- Shortness of breath
- Breaking out in a cold sweat
This healthy living tip is courtesy of Nathan Boyer, MD.
