In Understanding Your Symptoms
Chest Pain: When to Worry and When to Call a Cardiologist
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. Knowing the difference can save your life.
This page is educational and does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Individual results vary. Please consult a licensed physician for guidance about your specific situation.
7 min read
Key takeaways
- Not all chest pain is cardiac, but new or severe pain always deserves prompt evaluation.
- Pressure, squeezing, or heaviness — especially with exertion — is more concerning than sharp, brief stabs.
- Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have atypical symptoms.
- Call 911 for chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or radiation to the arm or jaw.
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.
Common causes of chest pain
Cardiac causes include coronary artery disease (partial blockage), heart attack (complete blockage), pericarditis, and arrhythmia. Vascular causes include aortic dissection, a rare but life-threatening emergency.
Non-cardiac causes include gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), costochondritis (rib-cartilage inflammation), muscle strain, panic attacks, and lung conditions such as pneumonia or pulmonary embolism.
How a cardiologist evaluates chest pain
A thorough evaluation usually includes a detailed history, physical exam, electrocardiogram (ECG), and blood work. Depending on the findings, your cardiologist may order an echocardiogram, stress test, coronary CT angiography, or a coronary calcium score.
The goal is to rule out life-threatening causes first, then identify treatable contributors so you can move forward with confidence rather than fear.
When to see a cardiologist
Seek emergency care (call 911) for chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain radiating to the arm, neck, or jaw. Schedule a cardiology visit within days if you have new chest discomfort with exertion, a family history of early heart disease, or known risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes.
Related services at amavita
Talk to a board-certified cardiologist
Request an evaluation at one of our two Miami-Dade locations — Kendall or North Miami Beach. Our care team typically responds within 5–7 business days.