Experiencing chest pain or discomfort? Understand different types of chest pain and know when to seek urgent help.
You can't tell a heart attack from heartburn or a strained muscle by how it feels, and heart attack pain can even feel like indigestion. healthdirect advises treating chest pain as heart-related until proven otherwise. Call Triple Zero (000) and ask for an ambulance if chest pain is severe, getting worse or has lasted 10 minutes; feels heavy, crushing or tight; spreads to your arms, shoulder, neck, jaw or back; or comes with breathlessness, nausea, dizziness, a cold sweat or a racing heartbeat. Warning signs aren't always sudden or severe. Feeling sick, sweaty or dizzy, or pain in the back, neck or jaw, are particularly common in women.
The longer you wait, the more heart muscle is damaged. Don't drive yourself: if no ambulance is available, ask someone else to take you to hospital. While you wait, stop and rest, loosen tight clothing and don't eat or drink. Every chest pain should be checked by a doctor. Only once a doctor has ruled out your heart and lungs does it make sense to look at other causes such as reflux (heartburn), a muscle strain (muscle aches) or a chest infection (cough).
Sources: Heart Foundation — Heart attack warning signs; healthdirect — Chest pain; healthdirect — Heart attack
You can't tell from symptoms alone. Heart attack warning signs include pressure, heaviness or tightness in the chest; pain spreading to the arms, shoulder, neck, jaw or back; shortness of breath; nausea; a cold sweat; or dizziness. If you notice any of these, or have any doubt, call Triple Zero (000).
This information is general in nature and isn’t a substitute for professional medical advice. Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor about what’s right for you.