When you feel like your heart hurts, it's usually not your heart itself causing the pain. This sensation often comes from other organs or structures in your chest, such as your lungs, esophagus, muscles, or ribs.
Most cases of chest discomfort aren't related to heart problems. The most frequent causes include:
Cardiac-related chest pain typically feels like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of your chest. It may also come with shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, fatigue, or pain in other upper body areas.
According to the American Heart Association, if you experience chest pain that lasts longer than a few minutes, goes away and comes back, or occurs with other symptoms like shortness of breath or nausea, you should seek medical attention immediately.
While many causes of chest discomfort are harmless, some require urgent medical treatment. Seek immediate care if you experience:
Medical professionals use several tests to determine the cause of chest pain. These may include:
After evaluating your symptoms and test results, your doctor can determine whether your chest pain is cardiac or non-cardiac in origin.