Chest pain should never be ignored. Whether it feels like pressure, tightness, burning, heaviness, sharp pain, or discomfort spreading to your arm, jaw, neck, back, or shoulder, chest pain may be a warning sign of a serious medical emergency.
At Medco ER in Plano, TX, our board-certified emergency physicians provide 24/7 emergency care for chest pain with advanced on-site diagnostics, including EKG, cardiac labs, CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, and continuous monitoring when needed.
If you are experiencing severe, sudden, new, or unexplained chest pain, call 911 or visit the nearest emergency room immediately.
Chest Pain? Do Not Wait.
Medco ER Plano is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Address: 3960 Legacy Dr., Plano, TX 75023
Phone: (469) 392-4000
When Should You Go to the ER for Chest Pain?
You should seek emergency care right away if chest pain is severe, sudden, new, unexplained, or associated with other symptoms. According to the CDC and American Heart Association, heart attack symptoms may include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder, nausea, lightheadedness, or unusual fatigue.
Go to the emergency room immediately if you have:
- Chest pressure, squeezing, tightness, heaviness, or fullness
- Chest pain lasting more than a few minutes
- Pain spreading to the left arm, right arm, jaw, neck, back, or shoulder
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or fainting
- Fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat
- Chest pain after exercise or physical activity
- Chest pain with weakness, confusion, or extreme fatigue
What Does Heart-Related Chest Pain Feel Like?
Heart-related chest pain does not always feel sharp. Many patients describe it as:
- Pressure
- Heaviness
- Tightness
- Squeezing
- Burning
- A crushing feeling
- Discomfort in the center or left side of the chest
Some people may also feel pain in the upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or arms. Women, older adults, and people with diabetes may have more subtle symptoms, including shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, dizziness, or indigestion-like discomfort.
Common Causes of Chest Pain
Chest pain can happen for many reasons. Some causes are life-threatening and require immediate emergency evaluation.
1. Heart Attack
A heart attack happens when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked. Symptoms may include chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm or jaw, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, or fatigue.
2. Blood Clot in the Lung
A pulmonary embolism can cause sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, coughing, dizziness, or pain that worsens when breathing deeply.
3. Pneumonia or Lung Infection
Lung infections may cause chest pain with fever, cough, chills, weakness, or trouble breathing.
4. Acid Reflux or GERD
Acid reflux can cause burning chest discomfort, especially after eating. However, it can be difficult to tell the difference between reflux and heart-related chest pain without medical testing.
5. Muscle Strain or Rib Injury
Chest wall pain may occur after lifting, coughing, injury, or exercise. Pain may worsen with movement or pressure.
6. Anxiety or Panic Attack
Anxiety can cause chest tightness, fast heartbeat, sweating, dizziness, and shortness of breath. However, chest pain should not be assumed to be anxiety until serious causes are ruled out.
Why Chest Pain Needs Fast Testing
Chest pain symptoms can overlap. A heart attack, blood clot, pneumonia, reflux, and anxiety may all feel similar at first. That is why fast emergency testing is important.
At Medco ER Plano, we offer advanced emergency diagnostics on-site, including:
- EKG testing
- Cardiac enzyme blood testing
- Laboratory testing
- CT scans
- X-rays
- Ultrasound
- Cardiac monitoring
Chest Pain and Shortness of Breath
Chest pain with shortness of breath should be treated as urgent. This combination may be related to heart attack, blood clot, lung infection, asthma complications, heart rhythm problems, or other serious conditions.
If you feel chest tightness and cannot breathe normally, seek emergency care immediately.
Chest Pain in Women
Women may experience chest pain differently. While chest discomfort is still common, women may also have symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, back pain, jaw pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat, lightheadedness, or unusual fatigue.
Do not wait for “classic” chest pain symptoms. If something feels wrong, get emergency evaluation.
Chest Pain After Eating: Is It Reflux or Heart-Related?
Chest pain after eating may be caused by acid reflux, indigestion, gallbladder problems, or esophageal irritation. However, heart-related chest pain can sometimes feel like heartburn or upper abdominal pressure.
Go to the ER if chest discomfort after eating is severe, unusual, persistent, or occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or back.
Why Choose Medco ER for Chest Pain in Plano?
Medco ER provides fast, board-certified emergency care for adults and children in Plano and surrounding North Texas communities.
- Open 24/7, including weekends and holidays
- Little to no wait time
- Board-certified emergency physicians
- On-site EKG and cardiac labs
- CT scan, X-ray, ultrasound, and lab testing
- Emergency care for adults and children
- Convenient location in Plano, TX
Visit Medco ER Plano for Chest Pain Evaluation
Medco ER Plano
3960 Legacy Dr.
Plano, TX 75023
Phone: (469) 392-4000
Open: 24 hours / 7 days a week
Areas We Serve
Medco ER provides 24/7 emergency care for patients in:
- Plano
- Frisco
- Allen
- McKinney
- Richardson
- Murphy
- North Dallas
- Surrounding North Texas communities
Frequently Asked Questions About Chest Pain
Should I go to the ER for chest pain?
Yes, you should go to the ER if chest pain is new, severe, unexplained, lasts more than a few minutes, or occurs with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, fainting, or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, back, or shoulder.
Can chest pain be a sign of a heart attack?
Yes. Chest pain or discomfort is one of the most common heart attack symptoms. Other warning signs may include shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness, fatigue, or pain in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder.
Does Medco ER Plano treat chest pain?
Yes. Medco ER Plano provides 24/7 emergency evaluation for chest pain, heart attack symptoms, shortness of breath, palpitations, and other urgent medical conditions.
What tests are done for chest pain?
Chest pain evaluation may include an EKG, cardiac blood tests, lab testing, chest X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound, and monitoring depending on symptoms and medical judgment.
Is chest pain always heart-related?
No. Chest pain may be caused by heart, lung, digestive, muscle, anxiety, or injury-related conditions. However, because some causes are life-threatening, emergency evaluation is important.
Where is Medco ER located?
Medco ER is located at 3960 Legacy Dr., Plano, TX 75023.
Disclaimer
This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any medical condition. If you are experiencing chest pain, severe symptoms, or a possible medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room immediately.
References
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Heart Attack Symptoms
- American Heart Association: Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
- Mayo Clinic: Chest Pain Symptoms and Emergency Care Guidance
