Chest pain can be scary. When it happens, your mind races with questions: Is this serious? Should I go to urgent care, or is it time to call 911?

Making the right choice can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. By understanding the causes of chest pain and where to seek care, you can feel confident about your next steps.

Let’s start with a simple question: What’s causing your chest pain?

What’s Causing Chest Pain?

Chest pain can mean a lot of different things, and not all of them are emergencies. Sometimes, it’s something minor like heartburn after a spicy meal or a sore muscle from overdoing it at the gym. Other times, chest pain could signal something more serious, like a heart attack or a lung issue.

Here are some common causes of chest pain and what they might feel like:

  • Heartburn or Acid Reflux: A burning sensation in your chest that often worsens after eating or when lying down. It might feel uncomfortable but usually isn’t dangerous.
  • Muscle Strain: If you’ve recently lifted something heavy or had an intense workout, muscle pain in your chest can mimic something more serious.
  • Anxiety or Panic Attacks: Chest tightness, a racing heart, or difficulty breathing can happen during high-stress moments. These symptoms can feel severe but are often linked to stress rather than a heart issue.
  • Serious Causes: On the other hand, life-threatening conditions like a heart attack, angina (chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart), or a blood clot in the lung (pulmonary embolism) require immediate attention.

So, how do you tell the difference? A good rule of thumb is to pay attention to the intensity, duration, and accompanying symptoms. For instance, if your chest pain feels crushing, radiates to your arm or jaw, or comes with dizziness, it’s time to act fast.

Can Urgent Care Handle Chest Pain?

If you’re experiencing chest pain that’s mild to moderate, urgent care can often be a good place to start. Urgent care centers are designed to handle a variety of non-life-threatening issues, and many of them are equipped to evaluate chest pain that doesn’t feel severe.

Here’s what urgent care can help with the following symptoms:

  • Mild or Intermittent Chest Discomfort: If the pain isn’t intense or crushing and doesn’t come with other alarming symptoms (like difficulty breathing or sweating), urgent care can assess the situation.
  • Possible Acid Reflux or Heartburn: If you suspect your chest pain is linked to something like spicy food or lying down too soon after eating, urgent care providers can evaluate and provide relief.
  • Muscle Strain or Minor Injuries: If your pain started after lifting something heavy or exercising, an urgent care visit can confirm whether it’s a strain or something more serious.

Most urgent care facilities are equipped to evaluate mild to moderate chest pain and perform a variety of tests to help determine the cause. Here’s what you can typically expect during your visit:

  • Heart Rate and Blood Pressure Monitoring: Your vital signs will be checked to detect any abnormalities that could point to a heart or lung issue.
  • EKG Machines: These are used to check your heart rhythm and look for signs of irregularities or stress on your heart.
  • X-rays: If necessary, an X-ray may be performed to look for lung issues such as pneumonia or a collapsed lung, as well as to rule out other structural concerns in the chest area.
  • Onsite Labs for Bloodwork: Blood tests can help identify markers of heart distress, inflammation, or other underlying conditions.

When to Go to the Emergency Room

When chest pain strikes, it’s crucial to know the red-flag symptoms that mean you need emergency care. Some signs point to a potentially life-threatening situation that requires immediate medical attention from an emergency room (ER).

Here’s when to skip urgent care and head straight to the ER (or call 911):

  • Severe or Crushing Pain: If the pain feels like a heavy weight or tight band around your chest, it could be a heart attack.
  • Pain Radiating to Other Areas: Discomfort that spreads to your arms, back, neck, jaw, or shoulders is a major warning sign.
  • Shortness of Breath or Trouble Breathing: Struggling to catch your breath could indicate a heart problem or even a blood clot in your lungs.
  • Sweating, Nausea, or Dizziness: These symptoms, especially when paired with chest pain, can suggest a heart attack.
  • Sudden or Sharp Pain: If the pain feels like stabbing and comes on suddenly, it could signal a pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs) or aortic dissection (a tear in a major artery).

Why the ER Is Your Best Option

Emergency rooms are fully equipped to handle life-threatening chest pain. They have advanced imaging tools, lab tests, and specialists ready to treat conditions like heart attacks, collapsed lungs, and blood clots immediately. Time is critical for many of these conditions, so don’t wait—call 911 if you can’t safely drive yourself.

Trust Your Instincts—Chest Pain Deserves Attention

If you’re experiencing mild to moderate chest pain and are in need of urgent care in Utah County, Premier Family Medical’s urgent care is here to help. Listening to your body and acting quickly is the smartest thing you can do.

We welcome walk-in appointments, but why wait? Save your spot now to skip the wait and get the care you need: Save My Spot. Your health is worth it—don’t wait to take action!