10 causes of chest pain — from harmless to life-threatening
Chest pain has many causes. Understanding the patterns helps you know when to relax, when to call your doctor, and when to call an ambulance.
6 min read · Last reviewed 2026-05-01
Cardiac causes
Heart-related chest pain typically feels like pressure or tightness, may radiate to the jaw or left arm, and worsens with exertion. These deserve urgent evaluation.
- • Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- • Angina (stable or unstable)
- • Pericarditis
- • Aortic dissection — sudden tearing pain
Lung causes
Lung-related pain often worsens with breathing or coughing and may be accompanied by breathlessness or fever.
- • Pulmonary embolism
- • Pneumonia or pleurisy
- • Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
Digestive and musculoskeletal causes
These are the most common causes of chest pain seen in primary care and are usually not dangerous.
- • Acid reflux (GERD)
- • Costochondritis or muscle strain
- • Anxiety or panic attack
Key takeaways
- ✓ Crushing central pain lasting >10 minutes = emergency.
- ✓ Sudden tearing pain radiating to the back = emergency.
- ✓ Burning pain after meals, relieved by antacids, suggests reflux.
- ✓ Sharp pain reproducible with pressing on the chest is usually musculoskeletal.
When to seek care
- • Any new chest pain lasting more than a few minutes
- • Chest pain with breathlessness, sweating, or fainting
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FAQs
Can young people have heart attacks?
Yes, though less common. Risk factors include family history, smoking, cocaine use, and uncontrolled cholesterol or diabetes.