Chest pain can be scary. It’s one of those things that can make you think the worst, like having a heart attack. But chest pain can happen for lots of reasons, and some of them aren’t that serious. It’s important to know the different kinds of chest pain, what they might mean, and when you should get help. Here is everything to help you understand what might be happening when you feel pain in your chest.

Chest Pain Can Mean Different Things, Depending on the Cause

Chest pain isn’t always simple. It can mean different things depending on how it feels, where it’s located, and how long it lasts. For example, if your chest pain is sharp and gets worse when you take a deep breath, it might be related to your lungs or muscles, such as pleurisy, which is inflammation of the lining around the lungs. On the other hand, if it’s a dull, squeezing pain, it could be related to heart issues. This type of pain can also spread to your arms, neck, or back, which are common heart-related symptoms.

Here are some common causes of chest pain:

1. Heart-related Chest Pain

The first thing most people think about with chest pain is the heart—and for good reason. Some heart-related causes of chest pain include:

Angina: This happens when your heart isn’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood. It can feel like squeezing, pressure, or a heavy weight on your chest. Angina often happens during physical activity or stress and usually goes away when you rest.
Heart Attack: This is the one that scares people the most. A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart gets blocked, which can cause damage. The pain can be very strong and feel like pressure, tightness, or even burning. It often comes with other symptoms like sweating, trouble breathing, or feeling sick. If you think you are having a heart attack, call emergency services right away.
Pericarditis: This is when the sac around your heart gets inflamed. The pain is usually sharp and can get worse when you breathe deeply or lie down. It can sometimes feel like a heart attack, but it’s not as dangerous.

2. Lung-Related Causes

Chest pain can also be caused by problems with your lungs. Here are some lung-related causes:

Pulmonary Embolism: This is when a blood clot blocks an artery in your lungs. It can cause sudden, sharp chest pain and trouble breathing. This is a medical emergency and needs help right away.
Pleurisy: This is when the lining around your lungs gets inflamed, which can cause sharp chest pain that gets worse when you breathe in or cough.
Pneumonia or Lung Infections: A bad lung infection like pneumonia can cause pain that gets worse when you breathe or cough. It usually comes with fever and chills.

3. Digestive System Causes

Believe it or not, problems with your digestive system can also cause chest pain. For example:

Acid Reflux: Also called heartburn, acid reflux happens when stomach acid moves up into your esophagus, causing a burning feeling in your chest. Despite the name, heartburn isn’t related to your heart.
Esophageal Spasms: These are painful spasms in your esophagus that can feel like a heart attack. The pain is often intense and can come on suddenly.
Gallbladder Issues: Problems like gallstones can cause pain in the upper right part of your belly that can spread to your chest.

4. Muscle or Bone-Related Causes

Sometimes, chest pain is related to your muscles, ribs, or even your spine.

Costochondritis: This is when the cartilage connecting your ribs to your breastbone gets inflamed. It causes sharp pain that can get worse when you press on the area or move in certain ways.
Muscle Strain: If you recently lifted something heavy or made a sudden movement, the chest pain could be from a strained muscle. This pain is usually in one spot and gets worse with movement.

5. Anxiety and Panic Attacks

Another common cause of chest pain is anxiety or a panic attack. The pain is usually sharp, and it often comes with a racing heart, sweating, and feeling very scared. While it isn’t life-threatening, it can feel very similar to a heart attack, which makes it frightening.

What Type of Chest Pain Should You Not Ignore?

It can be hard to know when to worry and when not to. Here are some warning signs that mean you should get medical help right away:

Sudden, severe chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes or spreads to your arm, neck, jaw, or back.
Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick, or dizziness. These could be signs of a heart attack.
Sharp pain gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough, especially if it starts after sitting for a long time (like after a flight). This could mean you have a blood clot in your lungs.
Pain that doesn’t get better with rest, especially if you already have heart problems.

If you are unsure, it’s always better to be safe and get medical help.

How to Describe Your Chest Pain to Your Doctor

If you decide to see a doctor, how you describe your symptoms can really help them figure out what’s happening. Here’s what to note:

Location: Where is the pain? Is it in the middle, left side, or all over your chest?
Type of Pain: Is it sharp, dull, burning, or squeezing?
Intensity: On a scale of 1 to 10, how bad is the pain?
Timing: How long does it last, and does it come and go?
Triggers: Does anything make it better or worse—like movement, eating, or breathing?

These details can help your doctor narrow down the possible causes and decide what tests you might need.

What Can You Do if You Experience Chest Pain?

If you suddenly feel chest pain, it’s natural to feel scared—but try to stay calm. Here’s what you should do:

Stop What You’re Doing and Rest: If the pain starts when you’re active, sit down and rest. If it goes away, it could be a sign of angina, and you should make an appointment with your doctor to check it out.
Take Deep Breaths: Sometimes, shallow breathing can make anxiety-related chest pain worse. Taking slow, deep breaths may help you feel better.
Use Medication if Prescribed: If you have been diagnosed with a heart condition and your doctor gave you nitroglycerin, take it as directed. It can help ease chest pain from angina.
Call Emergency Services if the Pain Is Severe or Doesn’t Go Away: Especially if you have other symptoms like sweating, trouble breathing, or feeling sick.

When in Doubt, Seek Help

Chest pain can be really scary, but remember, not all chest pain means you’re having a heart attack. It could be something less serious, like heartburn or a pulled muscle. However, if you’re not sure, it’s always better to be safe. Seeing a doctor could save your life if it turns out to be something serious.

If you feel chest pain that worries you, don’t ignore it. Talk to your doctor—they can help you figure out what’s causing the pain and what to do next.