Chest discomfort can be sharp, dull, burning, heavy, or vague. It may also show up as breathlessness, sweating, nausea, pain in the arm or jaw, or unusual fatigue. In people with diabetes, symptoms can be less typical.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if you have
- Chest pain or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
- Chest discomfort with sweating, breathlessness, fainting, or nausea
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back, or shoulder
- New severe breathlessness
- Collapse or near-collapse
In these situations, go to an emergency department or call local emergency services. Getting an ECG and initial treatment early matters.
When a cardiology consultation is reasonable
Book a consultation for exertional chest discomfort, repeated vague chest symptoms, abnormal ECG or treadmill results, high-risk diabetes, strong family history, or persistent breathlessness that has not been explained.
This page is general information. It cannot diagnose your symptoms online.