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Chest pain
Alternative Names: Chest tightness or pressure; Chest discomfort Home Care: If injury, over-exertion, or coughing have caused muscle strain, your chest wall is often tender or painful when you press a finger at the location of the pain. This can often be treated at home. Try acetaminophen or ibuprofen, ice, heat, and rest. Text Continues Below If you know you have asthma or angina, follow the instructions of your doctor and take your medications regularly to avoid flare-ups. Call your health care provider if: Call 911 if: You have sudden crushing, squeezing, tightening, or pressure in your chest. Pain radiates to your jaw, left arm, or between your shoulder blades. You have nausea, dizziness, sweating, a racing heart, or shortness of breath. You know you have angina and your chest discomfort is suddenly more intense, brought on by lighter activity, or lasts longer than usual. Your angina symptoms occur at rest. You have sudden sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long trip, a stretch of bedrest (for example, following an operation), or other lack of movement that can lead to a blood clot in your leg. Know that your risk of heart attack is greater if you have a family history of heart disease, you smoke or use cocaine, or you have high cholesterol, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Call your doctor if: You have a fever or a cough that produces yellow-green phlegm. Chest-wall pain persists for longer than 3 to 5 days. What to expect at your health care provider's office: Page:  1 | 2 | 3 | Next >>