Sensation of pressure, pain, squeezing in the centre of the chest is often due to heart attack. It may radiate to neck, jaw, and arm and be associated with palpitations, sweating, and shortness of breath. Call an ambulance in these instances.

People can experience chest pain for reasons other than heart attack.

How to tell the difference?

1. Is the pain sharp or dull?

A. Heart attack pain is described an unrelenting sensation of pressure, lasting more than 5-10 minutes

B. Sudden sharp pain of short duration like seconds is often due to muscle, nerve, rib pains

2. Does changing positions help?

A. Usually heart pain does not improve with change of position

B. Pain that eases with change of position like bending over or sit up in bed indicates

3. Does self medicating make it better?

A. Taking a drink, antacids etc relieving the pain usually means it is not related to heart attack

4. Does exercise help?

A. Heart pain or angina usually gets worse with exercise.

B. If pain goes away on exercise it is unlikely to be heart pain.

If you are in any doubt about your chest pain……please call the ambulance or consult a doctor immediately.