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Warning-sign checks

Chest pain: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Call emergency services now if chest pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, keeps returning, or feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness, especially with:

    • Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, fainting, or marked weakness
    • Pain spreading to an arm, the jaw, neck, back, or upper abdomen
    • A sudden fast or irregular heartbeat with dizziness
    • Sudden severe pain with major breathing difficulty
    • Coughing up blood
    • Sudden tearing pain that moves into the back
    • Chest pain after a serious injury

    Do not drive yourself if a heart or lung emergency may be occurring.

    Follow the emergency operator’s instructions rather than taking someone else’s medicine.

    Seek same-day medical advice for new or worsening unexplained chest pain, even if it has stopped, when none of the emergency signs above are present.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Prompt advice is also appropriate for pain during physical activity or pain accompanied by fever and breathing discomfort.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Book a routine appointment if mild pain keeps returning, affects sleep or normal activities, regularly follows meals, or has not improved as expected.

    Mention any personal or family history of heart or lung disease.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Chest pain. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.