Tooth pain and heart attacks; Heart attacks and jaw pain

Question:

Can pain in the jaw or teeth be an indication of a heart attack?

Answer:

Sometimes. Heart pain can radiate to the jaw and teeth. It is more common for heart-related discomfort to affect the lower jaw than the upper jaw. It cannot be emphasized enough that a heart attack can have symptoms other than chest pain, and these symptoms should be checked immediately.

Pain in the upper teeth also can indicate other conditions, such as a sinus infection. It's important to get evaluated by your doctor to know the cause of your symptoms.

See also:

• Acute MI
• Chest pain

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Jaw pain and heart attacks

Review Date: 09/03/2008
Reviewed By: Larry A. Weinrauch MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Cardiovascular Disease and Clinical Outcomes Research, Watertown, MA.. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)