Dealing with Chest Pain and When to Seek Care

Chest pain is a symptom that should never be ignored. In Central Florida, including Lake County, heart disease remains a significant health concern, contributing to thousands of deaths annually. This underscores the critical need for residents to recognize the warning signs of chest pain and when it could be a potential life-threatening event.

When your body sends a signal as serious as chest pain, understanding the possible causes and knowing the right action to take can be lifesaving.

Why Does Chest Pain Happen?

The sensation of chest pain can range from a dull, persistent ache to a sharp, sudden stab or even a crushing pressure.

Chest pain can be a sign of a serious cardiac event like a heart attack, which is pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. In 2022 alone, Lake County recorded over 650 deaths directly attributed to diseases of the heart. These conditions demand immediate emergency medical attention.

While it is the most well-known symptom of a heart attack, not every instance of chest pain is related to your heart.

Musculoskeletal Strain

Our active, year-round lifestyle in Central Florida—whether it's golfing, kayaking on the Harris Chain of Lakes, or simply doing yard work in the heat—puts us at risk for muscle strains. Overexerting a muscle in your chest wall can lead to sharp, localized pain that often worsens when you move, cough, or take a deep breath.

Gastrointestinal Problems

Acid reflux, also known as Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), is a very common cause of chest pain. It happens when stomach acid moves back up into the esophagus, creating a burning sensation that can easily be mistaken for heart-related pain. Large or spicy meals can often trigger this discomfort.

Respiratory Conditions

Central Florida's environment, with its high humidity and pollen counts, can aggravate respiratory issues like asthma, bronchitis, or pneumonia. These conditions often cause chest pain, which is typically accompanied by other symptoms such as coughing, fever, or shortness of breath.

Anxiety and Panic Attacks

A panic attack can create intense physical symptoms that feel remarkably similar to a heart attack. These can include a racing heart, difficulty breathing, dizziness, and severe chest pain. While not a cardiac event, the symptoms are very real and frightening.

When Should You Seek Medical Care for Chest Pain?

You should never try to self-diagnose chest pain. However, understanding the different types of symptoms can help you determine the urgency of the situation. For any chest pain that is concerning, a medical evaluation is always the safest choice.

1. The Pain Is Mild but Persistent: If you have a nagging discomfort, pressure, or ache in your chest that isn't severe but won't go away, it's important to get it checked out. It could be a non-cardiac issue like a muscle pull or anxiety, but ruling out a more serious cause is essential for your health and peace of mind. An evaluation that includes an EKG or blood work can provide clear answers.
2. You Feel a Burning Sensation After Meals: A burning feeling in your chest, particularly after eating, is a classic sign of heartburn or GERD. While common, if over-the-counter antacids aren’t working or the symptoms happen frequently, a medical professional should evaluate you. Chronic, untreated acid reflux can lead to more serious problems over time.
3. The Pain Changes with Movement or Touch: Chest pain that worsens when you press on the area, take a deep breath, or change your body position is often musculoskeletal. This could be a pulled muscle or costochondritis, which is an inflammation of the cartilage in your rib cage. While not usually an emergency, a proper diagnosis is necessary to rule out other issues and get the right treatment plan.

Symptoms That Demand Immediate Emergency Care

If your chest pain is accompanied by any of the following symptoms, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately. These are the classic signs of a heart attack or another life-threatening condition where every second matters.

• Sudden, severe, and crushing chest pain, pressure, or squeezing
• Pain that spreads to your arm (especially the left), jaw, neck, or back
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
• Nausea or vomiting
• A rapid or irregular pulse
• Cold, heavy sweating

Emergency rooms are staffed and equipped to provide immediate, life-saving care for cardiac events. Do not delay seeking help or attempt to drive yourself.

Find the Right Level of Care at UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care

Deciding where to go for medical care when you're experiencing chest pain can be stressful. But at UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center, our primary goal is to provide the residents of our community with exceptional service and the proper billing for the care they need. Our combined emergency room and urgent care are fully equipped to handle everything from allergies to fractures, fever to chest pain, with on-site labs, X-ray, ultrasound and CT imaging, all under one roof. The ER and urgent care centers are open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

No appointment is necessary – just walk in! Find the UF Health Emergency & Urgent Care Center nearest you today!