Chest pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek emergency medical care, and understanding its causes is critical to getting the right treatment quickly. While chest pain can stem from a wide range of conditions — some minor, others life-threatening — it should never be ignored or dismissed without a proper medical evaluation. The most serious cause of chest pain is a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to part of the heart muscle is blocked, usually by a clot in a coronary artery. This type of pain typically feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or tightness in the center or left side of the chest. It may radiate to the arm, jaw, neck, shoulder, or back, and is often accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or lightheadedness. If you experience these symptoms, call 911 immediately — time is critical. Not all chest pain is cardiac in origin. Angina, a condition caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, produces similar symptoms but typically occurs during physical activity or stress and resolves with rest. Other cardiac causes include pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart) and aortic dissection, which requires immediate emergency care. Non-cardiac causes of chest pain are equally varied. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and esophageal spasms can cause a burning or squeezing sensation that mimics cardiac pain. Musculoskeletal issues such as costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs) produce localized tenderness that worsens with touch or movement. Pulmonary causes — including pulmonary embolism, pleuritis, and pneumonia — can cause sharp pain that worsens with breathing. Anxiety and panic attacks are also well-recognized causes of chest pain, often accompanied by a racing heartbeat, dizziness, and a sense of impending doom. These episodes can be difficult to distinguish from cardiac events without proper testing. At Silvaris Health, our cardiologists and emergency medicine specialists use a comprehensive approach to evaluate chest pain, including EKG, blood tests for cardiac enzymes, imaging studies, and stress testing where indicated. Our goal is to identify the cause quickly and deliver the right care — whether that means emergency intervention, medication management, or reassurance and lifestyle guidance.
