Medicines.
Surgery or a procedure.
What are the possible complications or risks of not treating chest pain?
Some causes of chest pain can be life-threatening. This includes some lung-related causes of chest pain, too. The safe bet is to see a healthcare provider who can diagnose and treat your chest pain.
Can chest pain be prevented?
Yes. You can reduce your risk of heart, vascular and other diseases by following a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
Eating a healthy diet. Your healthcare provider or registered dietitian can help you create an eating plan that’s right for you.
Managing health conditions you have, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Exercising most days of the week.
Reaching and maintaining a weight that’s healthy for you.
Limiting the amount of alcohol you drink.
Not using tobacco products.
To prevent some other causes of chest pain, you can:
Avoid asthma triggers.
Treat respiratory infections right away.
Take medicine to prevent blood clots if you’re at risk for them.
Get a vaccination for chickenpox or shingles.
Avoid foods that cause heartburn.
On long road trips or flights, prevent blood clots from forming in your legs by getting up and walking around a little bit once every couple of hours.
When To Call the Doctor
How do I know if my chest pain is serious?
If you have chest pain that lasts longer than five minutes and doesn’t go away when you rest or take medication, get immediate help. Call 911, your local emergency services number or have someone take you to the closest emergency room (ER) right away.
Cardiac chest pain can be life-threatening.
Chest pain can be a sign of a heart attack. Other signs of a heart attack include:
Sweating.
Nausea or vomiting.
Shortness of breath.
Light-headedness or fainting.
A rapid or irregular heartbeat.
Pain in your back, jaw, neck, upper abdomen, arm or shoulder.
Additional Common Questions
Is chest pain normal?
No. Chest pain isn’t normal. If you have chest pain, contact your healthcare provider or 911 right away.
What should I do if I have chest pain?
Pay attention to any type of chest pain.
If your chest pain is new, comes on suddenly, or lasts longer than five minutes after you rest or take medication, call 911, your local emergency number or have someone take you to the closest emergency room.
If your chest pain goes away or comes and goes, see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to find out what’s causing the pain, even if it’s not severe.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Although most people think of a heart attack when they think of chest pain, there are many other conditions that cause chest pain. Know the signs of a heart attack and seek medical attention soon after you start having pain. Make a mental note of what you were doing when your chest pain happened so you can tell your healthcare provider. Being able to describe the kind of pain you’re having and where can help your provider give you a diagnosis.
Care at Cleveland Clinic
Whether you need stitches, a broken bone set or think your appendix might be causing your abdominal pain, Cleveland Clinic’s emergency medicine team is here to help.
