Hello Blebel,

Any chest pain, and more generally any pain, is a sign that something is going on in your body.  Persistent pain, no matter where the location, is a good reason to make an appointment with your physician.

Concerning symptoms for cardiac causes of chest pain included left-sided pain that is described as pressure or tightness.  Also, pain radiating to the jaw or arm, nausea or vomiting, shortness of breath and sweating are signs that your heart might be causing your symptoms.

However these symptoms are certainly not the only manifestations of heart problems!  Especially in women and people with diabetes, heart problems have many different and less serious-seeming presentations.

Symptoms that are less concerning for cardiac causes of chest pain include pain reproduced by palpation, pain caused by recent trauma to your chest wall, or pain that becomes worse or better depending on the position of your body.

For your own piece of mind, and to diagnose what is causing your pain, make an appointment with your physician.  And if you cannot get an appointment with your doctor, the pain does not get better, or certainly if it gets worse,  stop by your local ER.


To your health,
Neil, MD