Chest pain
Chest pain has many possible causes, from muscle strain and reflux to serious cardiac or lung conditions. Any central chest pain or pressure — especially with sweating, breathlessness, nausea, or pain spreading to the jaw or arm — should be treated as an emergency. Call 998 immediately or attend the nearest emergency department. Less severe, non-alarming chest pain still deserves a same-day assessment.
- · Central chest pressure, tightness or heaviness — especially lasting more than a few minutes
- · Chest pain with sweating, nausea or vomiting
- · Chest pain spreading to jaw, neck, back or arm
- · Chest pain with severe breathlessness
- · Chest pain with fainting or collapse
- · Sudden tearing chest or back pain
- · One-sided sharp chest pain with breathlessness after a long flight
Call 998 (UAE ambulance) or attend the nearest emergency department immediately. Do not drive yourself.
Key information
- Symptom
- Chest pain
- Category
- Heart & circulation
- Common possible causes
- Muscular chest wall pain, Acid reflux and oesophageal spasm, Anxiety and panic, Costochondritis (rib inflammation)
- Tests that may be considered
- Full blood count, Kidney function, Lipid profile, HbA1c
- Clinic assessment
- Available same day
- Home doctor visit
- Case-by-case
- Home blood test
- Available across Dubai
- Date reviewed
- 2026-07-01
What this symptom means
‘Chest pain’ covers any discomfort in the front, side or back of the chest. The character (sharp, pressing, burning), location, timing, triggers and associated symptoms all help decide what it is.
Common possible causes
- · Muscular chest wall pain
- · Acid reflux and oesophageal spasm
- · Anxiety and panic
- · Costochondritis (rib inflammation)
- · Post-exercise strain
- · Chest infection or pleurisy
Less common possible causes
- · Pericarditis (inflammation around the heart)
- · Gallbladder pain
- · Shingles chest wall pain
Serious causes that must not be missed
- · Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
- · Angina
- · Aortic dissection
- · Pulmonary embolism
- · Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
When a same-day GP is appropriate
- · New chest pain that has settled but is unexplained
- · Chest pain with a cough or fever
- · Chest pain on exertion that is new but not currently present
When a routine GP appointment is fine
- · Long-standing intermittent chest wall pain reproduced by pressing on the chest
- · Well-understood reflux with a clear food trigger
Questions a doctor may ask
- · Where exactly is the pain, and does it move?
- · How does the pain feel (sharp, pressing, burning, tearing)?
- · What were you doing when it started?
- · How long does it last, and what makes it better or worse?
- · Any breathlessness, sweating, nausea, or dizziness?
- · Do you have any cardiac risk factors (smoking, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history)?
- · Have you had a long flight recently, surgery or leg swelling?
History factors that may matter
- · Personal or family history of heart disease
- · High blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol
- · Smoking
- · Recent long-haul travel or immobility
- · Recent chest infection
What may happen during the examination
- · Full observations — pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation
- · Heart and chest examination
- · ECG
- · Blood tests where indicated (including troponin at hospital)
- · Chest X-ray via imaging partners where indicated
Tests that may be considered
Blood tests
- · Full blood count
- · Kidney function
- · Lipid profile
- · HbA1c
- · Troponin (hospital emergency setting)
- · D-dimer (hospital setting, if pulmonary embolism suspected)
Other tests
- · ECG (in clinic or at home for stable symptoms)
- · Chest X-ray (partner imaging referral)
- · Echocardiogram or exercise ECG if referred to cardiology
When a specialist referral may be considered
- · Cardiology for suspected angina, arrhythmia or new heart-failure symptoms
- · Respiratory if suspected pulmonary embolism or persistent respiratory cause
Possible treatment approaches
- · Treatment is based on the underlying cause
- · Emergency treatment for heart attack: hospital, aspirin, oxygen if needed, urgent cardiology
- · For reflux: dietary changes and a trial of acid-suppressing medication
- · For muscular pain: rest, physiotherapy, simple analgesia
Safe self-care
- · If pain is severe, do not drive — call 998
- · Sit still and try to remain calm
- · Chew an aspirin if advised by an emergency operator (unless allergic)
Best avoided
- · Do not ignore central chest pressure
- · Do not drive yourself to hospital during severe chest pain
- · Do not take other people’s cardiac medication
How Aafiyah can help
- · Same-day GP assessment for non-emergency chest pain
- · ECG in clinic or at home
- · Cardiac risk-factor review — blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c
- · Onward cardiology referral where appropriate
Related tests
Related conditions
Related symptoms
Frequently asked questions
Is chest pain always a heart attack?+
No — many causes of chest pain are not cardiac (reflux, muscle strain, anxiety, chest wall inflammation). However, chest pain in adults is treated as cardiac until proven otherwise, and any central pressing pain — especially with sweating, breathlessness, nausea or arm/jaw radiation — needs emergency assessment.
Should I call 998 or attend a clinic?+
For severe, sudden or central chest pain, call 998 (UAE ambulance) — do not drive yourself. For milder, non-alarming chest pain that has settled, a same-day GP appointment with an ECG is appropriate.
Can a GP do an ECG at home in Dubai?+
Yes — Aafiyah provides in-clinic and home ECGs across Dubai. Home ECG is suitable for stable, non-emergency symptoms.
Medical references
- · NICE — Chest pain of recent onset (CG95) — nice.org.uk
- · ESC Guidelines — Acute Coronary Syndromes — escardio.org
- · NHS — Chest pain — nhs.uk
Medically reviewed by: Dr Shahbaz Afzal — British-trained Family Medicine Consultant, DHA-licensed
Written: 2026-07-01 · Reviewed: 2026-07-01 · Next review: 2027-01-01
This page provides general medical information for people in Dubai and the UAE. It does not replace personal medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified clinician about any medical concern.
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