If you’ve ever experienced a burst of chest pain, you’ve probably wondered – if only for a fleeting moment – whether you’re experiencing a heart attack.
Chest pain can be caused by a number of different conditions – some completely unrelated to the heart – with similar symptoms.
“The twinge in the chest that goes away within a second or two, nine out of 10 times it has nothing to do with the heart,” says Tidelands Health cardiologist Dr. Nitesh Ainani, who practices at The Market Common, Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island locations of Tidelands Health Cardiology.
However, if you have any concerns you may be suffering from a heart attack or other emergency, it’s best to err on the side of caution and seek immediate care.

When it comes to heart attacks, symptoms can be sudden or begin slowly, increasing over time.
Warning signs include:

• Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, burning or tightness in the center of the chest
• Pain, numbness or uncomfortable sensations in one or both arms, back, neck, jaw or shoulder
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling sick or unwell
• Feeling faint or lightheaded
• Fatigue or weakness
• Feeling clammy or sweating

Chest pain connected to the heart tends to be more diffused, Dr. Ainani explains. If the pain is focused and the patient is able to point to a specific tender or painful spot, “that’s a sign the pain may be associated with a muscle or bone issue rather than a heart issue,” he adds.

If chest pain is accompanied by fever, it could be associated with an infection such as pneumonia. Other potential causes of chest pain include panic attacks, heartburn, shingles and more.
Chest pain can also be a symptom of a pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition that can cause excessive sweating, heart palpitations, leg pain and bloody mucus when coughing.
If you have concerns about chest pain or discomfort, be sure to contact a qualified care provider, Dr. Ainani says. And if you believe you are experiencing a heart attack or other emergency, call 911 immediately.
“It’s always better to be safe than sorry,” he says. “We’re here to help.”