Is this chest pain from the heart?
Chest pain is common, and not all chest pain comes from the heart. Muscle strain, acid reflux, anxiety, lung problems and inflammation around the ribs can all cause chest discomfort. The important question is whether the pattern suggests possible angina or another cardiac cause.
If symptoms are severe or suggest a heart attack, this is not a private clinic problem. It needs emergency care.
When to call 999
Call 999 immediately if chest pain is severe, crushing, lasts more than 15 minutes, occurs with sweating, nausea, breathlessness or faintness, or spreads to the jaw, back or both arms. Do not drive yourself to hospital. These can be symptoms of a heart attack.
What cardiac chest pain can feel like
Cardiac chest pain, or angina, is often described as pressure, tightness, heaviness or squeezing in the centre of the chest. It may spread to the left arm, jaw, neck or back. It often comes on with exertion or emotional stress and improves with rest.
A sharp pain lasting only seconds is less typical of angina, although symptoms are not always textbook. Risk factors also matter. Chest discomfort is more concerning if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, a smoking history, kidney disease, or a family history of early heart disease.
For more detail on angina and blocked arteries, see the guide to coronary artery disease.
When cardiology assessment is useful
A cardiology review may be appropriate if:
- chest discomfort keeps recurring, especially with exertion;
- your ECG or blood tests are abnormal but the explanation is unclear;
- symptoms occur alongside breathlessness, palpitations or reduced exercise capacity;
- you have a heart murmur or known valve disease;
- you have several cardiovascular risk factors and need a clearer assessment of risk;
- previous reassurance does not fit with persistent or changing symptoms.
What a cardiology assessment can add
A GP can take a history, examine you, arrange an ECG and request blood tests. A cardiology assessment adds more detailed interpretation of symptoms, heart examination, ECG review and, where appropriate, imaging such as echocardiography or cardiac CT.
For suspected valve disease or heart muscle problems, an echocardiogram can be particularly helpful. For suspected coronary disease, cardiac CT or other tests may be considered depending on the history and risk profile.
Dr Mark Cassar assesses chest pain in the context of symptoms, risk factors and imaging findings rather than relying on one test alone.
Private assessment for non-emergency chest pain
For non-emergency symptoms, Dr Cassar can assess chest pain through his private cardiology clinics in Basingstoke and Reading. The aim is to identify whether symptoms are likely to be cardiac, whether further imaging is needed, and what treatment or follow-up is appropriate.
Appointment information is available on the appointments page.
