How Doctors Determine When Chest Pain Is a Symptom of Heart Attack

Guidelines underscore who needs further testing and who can be safely sent home.

Published: March 19, 2022 Updated: March 22, 2022

HA PIC 1 — A new document helps emergency physicians understand the likelihood someone is having a heart attack based on how they describe their symptoms. This helps determine what actions should be taken next and reduces unnecessary testing.

You are watching television, mowing the lawn or arguing with your spouse when you notice a strange sensation in your chest. It may feel like pain, but it more likely feels like pressure, a dull ache or sharp stab. You stop what you are doing to see if it goes away. When it doesn’t, you call 911 and tell the operator you are experiencing chest pain.