Chest Pain
When To See a Doctor
You have answered Yes to:
Do you have pain when you breathe but you do not have symptoms of a heart attack?
See significance of pain with breathing if you need information to help you answer the questions below.
Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.
Note: If you have any of the following symptoms, evaluate those symptoms first.
- Difficulty breathing or coughing: Go to the topic Respiratory Problems, Age 12 and Older.
- Fever: Go to the topic Fever, Age 4 and Older.
Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.
Yes Does your pain become severe when you take a deep breath?
Yes Are you coughing up blood or sputum mixed with blood?
Yes Do you have pain deep in your leg or calf that is not from a leg injury?
Yes Do you have pain and you have had a pulmonary embolus or a blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT) in the past?
Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.
Yes Do you have mild to moderate pain when taking a deep breath but no other symptoms?
If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.
| Author: | Jan Nissl, RN, BS | Last Updated: April 27, 2007 |
| Medical Review: | William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine H. Michael O'Connor, MD - Emergency Medicine | |
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