What to Do If You Experience Heart Pain: 4 Effective Ways to Find Relief Quickly

First, here’s a list of symptoms that require urgent medical attention.

When to Call Emergency Services Immediately

One of the most critical conditions is a heart attack. Dial 911 or your local emergency number if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Severe, burning, pressing, or almost unbearable chest pain lasting 5–10 minutes or longer, accompanied by a sensation of pressure or discomfort.
• A feeling of fullness or tightness in the chest, as if a balloon is inflating inside.
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
• Shortness of breath.
• Excessive sweating or cold, clammy skin.
• Pain radiating to the neck, shoulders, upper back between the shoulder blades, one side of the jaw, or the left or right arm from elbow to shoulder.
• Nausea, heartburn, vomiting, or belching.
• Dizziness or feeling faint.

Men typically experience chest pain, while women may have a broader range of symptoms from the list above.

If your doctor has previously prescribed aspirin or nitroglycerin, take the medication while waiting for emergency responders. However, measure your blood pressure first: do not take nitroglycerin if your blood pressure is below 110/70 mmHg.

Besides heart attacks, these symptoms may indicate pulmonary embolism or inflammatory heart diseases such as myocarditis and pericarditis.

What to Do If Someone Nearby Is Experiencing Heart Pain

Follow these steps:

1. Call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
2. Ask if the person has been authorized by their doctor to take nitroglycerin. If yes, administer it. If not, give aspirin only if there are no allergies or contraindications.
3. If the person loses consciousness, has difficulty breathing, or stops breathing, start cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Do not waste time checking the pulse. Lay the person on their back, tilt their head gently backward to open the airway. Place the heel of one hand just below the center of the breastbone, place the other hand on top, straighten your elbows, and position your shoulders directly above your hands. Press down firmly to compress the chest 2 to 2.5 inches (5–6 cm) at a rate of 100–120 compressions per minute—use the rhythm of the song "Stayin’ Alive" as a guide. After every 30 compressions, give two rescue breaths. If unsure about rescue breaths, continue with chest compressions only.
4. Continue CPR until emergency personnel arrive.

How to Determine if the Pain Is Truly Heart-Related

Often, chest pain might feel like it’s from the heart but originates elsewhere. Here’s how to identify genuine heart pain.

Alexandra Bykova

Cardiologist at DocMed.

Angina pain has distinct characteristics:

• Type of pain: pressing or squeezing.
• Location: most often behind the breastbone; discomfort may also appear in the upper back, both arms, neck, or earlobes.
• Radiation: pain can spread to one arm (left or right), one side of the jaw, neck, back, or sometimes the upper abdomen.

Serious heart conditions rarely develop suddenly. Initially, they manifest as mild chest discomfort, slight burning, or pressure that subsides quickly. Before the first major attack, you may feel unwell for days or even weeks.

How to Recognize Non-Heart-Related Chest Pain

Here are some signs to help differentiate heart pain from other causes.

1. Duration of Pain

Heart pain usually lasts several minutes without easing. Discomfort that fades quickly is more likely due to physical injury, muscle strain, or nerve pain.

2. Effect of Physical Activity

Heart pain may worsen even with minimal activity. Conversely, pain from less serious causes often improves when resting in a comfortable position.

3. Pain During Breathing

Heart-related pain can cause shortness of breath. If accompanied by coughing or sharp pain when inhaling, the issue is probably respiratory.

Other Causes of Chest Pain Beyond the Heart

Chest discomfort can stem from various conditions, all requiring medical evaluation. These include:

• Digestive issues like heartburn, acid reflux, stomach ulcers, or irritable bowel syndrome.
• Lung problems.
• Weakening of major chest blood vessels.
• Musculoskeletal pain.
• Muscle soreness after exercise.
• Bone and joint disorders.
• Shingles.
• Arthritis.
• Panic attacks.
• Neurological disorders.
• Chest injuries or post-surgical conditions.

When Chest Pain Seems Non-Threatening

Only a qualified doctor can determine the exact cause of chest discomfort.

If you experience recurring chest pain without the life-threatening symptoms mentioned earlier, or if it’s accompanied by vomiting, coughing, or fever, consult a general practitioner.

The doctor will perform an examination, review your medical history and lifestyle, and order tests such as:

• Electrocardiogram (ECG) to measure heart electrical activity and rhythm.
• Blood tests to detect proteins released after heart damage.
• Chest X-ray to assess heart size and major vessels.
• CT scan to identify possible aortic dissection.

Based on the diagnosis, treatment will be prescribed or referrals made to specialists such as gastroenterologists, pulmonologists, orthopedists, or neurologists.

How to Alleviate Chest Discomfort

If chest discomfort occurs regularly, seek medical advice promptly. It’s better to be cautious.

However, you can try these home remedies to relieve non-cardiac chest pain quickly:

1. Take Nitroglycerin If Prescribed

This applies if you suspect heart-related pain and have a prescription.

Nitroglycerin helps with angina but won’t relieve pain caused by other issues. If it doesn’t ease the pain, it’s a sign the discomfort is not heart-related.

Alexandra Bykova

Cardiologist at DocMed.

Important considerations before using nitroglycerin:

• Nitroglycerin lowers blood pressure and may cause fainting. Do not take if blood pressure is below 110/70 mmHg.
• Common side effect: headache (occurs in 20% of users). Those with migraines may experience attacks.
• Only take nitroglycerin if diagnosed with angina and prescribed by a doctor.

Self-medication can cause side effects without benefits.

Other side effects include dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. Avoid alcohol while using nitroglycerin.

2. Take Aspirin

Aspirin reduces pain and inhibits clot formation by blocking cyclooxygenase, improving blood flow during heart-related chest pain.

Do not take aspirin if you have allergies, recent stomach bleeding, asthma attacks, or blood clotting disorders unless prescribed.

Potential severe side effects: tinnitus, confusion, hallucinations, rapid breathing, seizures, severe nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, bloody stools, coughing blood, or fever lasting more than three days.

Aspirin use in late pregnancy may cause bleeding in mother or baby.

3. Apply a Cold Compress

Chest pain may result from muscle strain due to heavy lifting, awkward movements, or intense workouts.

Apply an ice pack or frozen vegetables wrapped in a thin cloth to the chest for 3–5 minutes several times daily to reduce discomfort.

4. Use Antacids for Heartburn

Occasional heartburn can be self-treated, but frequent episodes require medical evaluation. Medications reduce stomach acid reflux but don’t address underlying causes.

• Antacids neutralize stomach acid, protecting the esophagus lining.
• Alginates form a barrier preventing acid reflux.
• Histamine receptor antagonists reduce acid production.
• Proton pump inhibitors block acid and aid tissue healing.

If you can’t access medication, a baking soda solution (½ teaspoon in a glass of warm water) may relieve symptoms temporarily if caused by acid reflux.

Use this remedy only in emergencies, after meals, away from medical help, and if no diagnosed heart conditions exist, as baking soda may harm the heart.

How to Keep Your Heart Healthy and Pain-Free

Your lifestyle greatly impacts heart health. Here are key steps to prevent heart pain:

Quit Smoking

Stopping smoking halves heart disease risk within a year, and after 15 years, risk matches that of non-smokers.

Follow a Heart-Healthy Diet

Dietary guidelines include:

• Choose heart-friendly foods: fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and nuts.
• Limit processed meats like ham, bacon, sausages.
• Reduce salt and sauces.
• Avoid fast food, canned, and heavily processed items such as chips and frozen dumplings.
• Replace sweets with fresh produce; drink water instead of sugary drinks.
• Avoid alcohol entirely, as no safe consumption level exists.

Maintain a Healthy Weight

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) using: BMI = weight (kg) / height (m²). A BMI over 25 is considered overweight.

Waist circumference is another indicator: over 31 inches (80 cm) for women and 35 inches (90 cm) for men indicates central obesity, increasing heart disease risk.

To lose weight, reduce daily calorie intake by 500 kcal to lose about 2 pounds (1 kg) per week. Consult a doctor for personalized advice.

Increase Physical Activity

Regular exercise improves blood pressure, raises good cholesterol, and helps control weight.

Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly, such as brisk walking, climbing stairs, dancing, gardening, or household chores. Remember, some exercise is better than none. Start with simple walks if needed.

Monitor Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar

High blood pressure and elevated blood sugar increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases and stroke, especially when both are elevated.

Healthy individuals should check blood sugar at least annually and blood pressure daily at the same time.

Normal values to aim for:

• Blood pressure around 120/80 mmHg.
• Blood sugar between 70 and 100 mg/dL.

Take Prescribed Medications Consistently

If your doctor has prescribed medications for diabetes, high cholesterol, or hypertension, take them regularly as directed. Do not stop without consulting your healthcare provider.

This article was originally published in May 2019 and updated in March 2024.

Take care of your heart and blood vessels 🩸🫀🩸

Additional resources:

• 10 Essential Heart Health Questions Answered by Cardiologist Olga Gromova
• How to Strengthen Blood Vessels
• 8 Quick Ways to Raise Blood Pressure
• 7 Effective Methods to Lower Blood Pressure
• A Quick Guide to Heart Care

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