Chest pain

Chest pain is discomfort anywhere in the chest and can have heart, lung, digestive or muscular causes. Some causes are life-threatening. New chest pain needs medical assessment. Severe, worsening or persistent pain, especially with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw or back, requires emergency help.

When should I call 000?

Call 000 if chest pain is severe, feels heavy or crushing, lasts more than a few minutes without settling, or occurs with concerning symptoms. Do not wait for an online appointment, drive yourself or assume the pain is indigestion or anxiety. Follow the emergency operator's instructions.

Heart-related symptoms are not always dramatic and may not feel like a sharp pain. A person can experience pressure, tightness or unusual discomfort. If you are unsure whether symptoms are an emergency, seek urgent advice rather than waiting for a familiar pattern.

For the Australian guidance behind this explanation, see Healthdirect Australia: Chest pain - Healthdirect Australia.

What information will clinicians need?

Describe when it started, what you were doing, where it spreads and whether breathing or movement changes it. Mention breathlessness, sweating, nausea, fainting and any heart or lung history. Information about recent surgery, long travel or pregnancy may also matter.

Do not delay calling for help to gather a complete history or search for old results. If someone is with you, they can help provide details while emergency care is arranged. A previous reassuring test does not establish that a new episode is harmless.

Can telehealth rule out a heart problem?

No. Assessing acute chest pain may require examination, an ECG, blood tests and observation. A video call cannot reliably exclude a heart attack or other serious causes. For symptoms already assessed in person, telehealth may support follow-up and discussion of the care plan. New, recurrent or changing symptoms still need the level of assessment appropriate to the current episode.

Where to go next

Read online doctor consultations to understand the relevant service. A doctor decides whether a consultation, examination, referral or another pathway is appropriate for your situation.