Chest Pain: which doctor should you see?
Short answer: most cases of chest pain are handled by a Cardiologist. Read on for the exceptions.
What this symptom means
Chest pain covers everything from a sharp stab when you breathe in to a heavy pressure behind the breastbone. It is one of the most important symptoms in medicine because the possible causes range from a pulled muscle to a heart attack. That range is exactly why chest pain should never be self-assessed.
Common causes
- Heart conditions such as angina or coronary artery disease
- Acid reflux and other digestive causes
- Lung conditions including pneumonia and pleurisy
- Muscle strain or rib injury
- Anxiety and panic attacks
Which doctor treats chest pain?
Once emergency causes have been ruled out, ongoing or recurring chest pain is typically managed by a cardiologist. If your pain is clearly linked to eating, a gastroenterologist may be more appropriate. If it worsens with breathing, a pulmonologist may be involved. When the cause is unclear, start with a primary care physician.
When it may be urgent
- Chest pain with shortness of breath, sweating, or nausea
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Crushing or squeezing pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Chest pain with fainting or a racing heartbeat
Frequently asked questions
- Which doctor treats chest pain?
- A cardiologist most commonly evaluates chest pain, though the cause may lie in the lungs, digestive tract, or chest wall. New or severe chest pain should be assessed in an emergency room first.
- Can chest pain be caused by anxiety?
- Yes. Panic attacks can produce genuine chest tightness and a racing heart. Because the symptoms overlap with cardiac conditions, anxiety should only be accepted as the cause after a doctor has ruled out heart problems.
- Is chest pain always a heart attack?
- No. Many cases are muscular, digestive, or respiratory. However, because a heart attack cannot be excluded without examination and testing, new or severe chest pain requires immediate medical assessment.
Related symptom guides
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Sources
- MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine (medlineplus.gov)
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (cdc.gov)
- Relevant national medical specialty association guidance