When should chest pain be checked by a cardiologist?

The short answer

Chest discomfort can come from the heart, lungs, digestive system, muscles or other causes. New, unexplained or recurring symptoms deserve appropriate medical assessment rather than self-diagnosis.

If chest pain is sudden, severe, does not go away, or occurs with sweating, nausea, breathlessness or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or stomach, call 999.

Details that help during an assessment

A clinician will usually ask where the discomfort is, what it feels like, how long it lasts and whether exercise, breathing, movement or food affects it. Your medical history and cardiovascular risk factors also help place the symptom in context.

What might happen next?

Depending on the individual picture, assessment may include an examination, an ECG or other investigations. Not everyone needs the same tests. The purpose of a consultation is to decide what is appropriate for you.