Chest Pain — Acme Corp Wellness

The chart lists signs and symptoms of chest pain and what to do.

What to Do

Call 911 right away before you do anything else! The 911 operator may recommend taking an aspirin while waiting for help.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department of a hospital! Do not take aspirin.

Call 911 or go to the emergency department of a hospital!

See doctor.

See doctor for diagnosis.

See doctor.

See doctor for diagnosis. Try daily stretching exercises to reduce getting these pains.

See doctor for diagnosis. Take an OTC medicine for pain and swelling. Apply a heating pad set on low or a hot water bottle to the area of pain.

Signs & Symptoms

• Chest pressure, squeezing, burning, tightness, or pain (may spread to the arm, neck, back, tooth, or jaw). It may or may not go away on its own.

• Chest discomfort with: Shortness of breath; sweating; nausea; fast or uneven pulse; lightheadedness; fainting.

• Chest pain that does not respond to medicine for a person with angina or heart problems.

• Severe chest pain with extreme pain felt across the whole upper back that came on within 15 minutes (may follow lifting a heavy object, but can occur for no reason). The pain can spread to the abdomen.

• A knife-like sensation from front to back. Dizziness and fainting.

Chest pain that gets worse when taking deep breaths and occurs with any of these:

• Sudden shortness of breath and severe problems breathing. Rapid heartbeat.

• Cough with bloody sputum.

• Sudden onset of chest pain with calf pain.

• Long periods of being immobile from bed rest, recent surgery, or prolonged travel.

• Sudden and sharp chest pain or tightness with breathing.

• Increasing shortness of breath.

Squeezing, pressure, indigestion feeling, or pain (often dull) in the chest. May spread to the arm, neck, jaw, or back. Symptoms come on or are made worse by stress or physical exertion. They may ease with rest. New or more frequent symptoms at rest may signal a heart attack.