Heart
Chest pain or pressure
Chest pain is one of the most common reasons adults call a doctor — and one of the most misunderstood. Some causes are benign, like muscle strain or reflux. Others, like a heart attack, are medical emergencies.
AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.
Emergency
Call 911 now if chest pain comes with
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating, nausea, or dizziness
- Pain spreading to the arm, neck, or jaw
- Pressure or tightness lasting more than a few minutes, or coming and going
Call 911 immediately — do not drive yourself to the hospital. This website and our office line are not for emergencies.
What chest pain can feel like
Cardiac chest pain (angina) is often described as pressure, tightness, or a heavy weight sitting on the chest. It may spread to the left arm, neck, jaw, or upper back, and it typically appears with activity or stress and eases with rest.
Non-cardiac chest pain — from acid reflux, chest-wall muscles, or anxiety — is often sharp, positional, or reproducible when you press on the chest. But symptoms overlap, and self-diagnosis is unreliable.
Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have atypical symptoms: unusual fatigue, back or upper abdominal pain, or shortness of breath with normal activity.
Why it happens
Causes in the heart and blood vessels
Coronary artery disease (partial blockage), heart attack (complete blockage), pericarditis (inflammation around the heart), and arrhythmia (rhythm problems). Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening emergency.
Causes outside the heart
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), costochondritis (rib-cartilage inflammation), muscle strain, panic attacks, and lung conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.
How it works
How a cardiologist checks chest pain
The goal is to rule out life-threatening causes first, then identify treatable contributors.
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01
History and physical exam
A detailed conversation about when the pain comes, what it feels like, and what eases it.
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02
Electrocardiogram (EKG) and blood work
A quick recording of the heart’s electrical activity, done the same day when clinically indicated.
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03
Further testing, if the findings call for it
Depending on the findings, your cardiologist may order an echocardiogram, stress test, coronary CT angiography, or a coronary calcium score.
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04
Cardiac catheterization when a definitive answer is needed
A thin tube is guided to the heart’s arteries to see blockages directly.
The tests, explained
EKG · Echocardiogram · Stress test · Coronary calcium score · Cardiac catheterization
You will not need all of them. The aim is to order only what answers the question.
Medicare and most insurance plans accepted — we confirm your coverage before the visit. See the plans we accept.
Questions about chest pain
When should I schedule a cardiology visit for chest pain?
Is all chest pain from the heart?
How soon can I be seen?
Chest discomfort that keeps coming back deserves an answer.
Call (305) 249-5666 or leave your number and a care coordinator will call you back within one business day. We verify your insurance before your visit. Most new patients are seen within 5–7 business days.
AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.