Pain or tightness in your chest can raise alarm bells, here’s when you should take chest pain seriously

By Dr. Nicholas Biondi

University of Kentucky

It’s a feeling that can stop you in your tracks: a pain or strange feeling in your chest. The first question that pops into your head is, “Is this serious?”

It’s easy to brush it off. Maybe it’s just something you ate, or you slept funny. But sometimes, that feeling is your body’s alarm bell, warning you that your heart needs help.

This guide will help you understand when to listen closely to that alarm. When it comes to your heart, it is always better to “overreact” than to wait too long

Listening to Your Body’s Warning Signs

Chest pain from a heart problem isn’t always a sharp, sudden pain like in the movies. It’s often a feeling of pressure, squeezing, or fullness in the center of your chest. Some people say it feels like a heavy weigh