Stop activity and rest
Sit upright and try to stay calm
If you have prescribed nitroglycerin, take it exactly as directed
Call emergency services now if the pain is severe, sudden, crushing, spreading to the arm, back, jaw, or shoulder, or comes with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or fainting
Call emergency services now if you think it could be a heart attack
Call emergency services now if the pain lasts more than a few minutes or keeps coming back
Call emergency services now if you have trouble breathing
Call emergency services now if you cough up blood
Call emergency services now if you have a fast, irregular, or very slow heartbeat with chest pain
Call emergency services now if you have chest pain after an injury
Call emergency services now if you have chest pain with one-sided leg swelling
Avoid exertion, smoking, alcohol, and recreational drugs
Avoid eating a heavy meal until you are better
If the pain is from heartburn and you can safely take them, use an antacid as directed
If the pain is from muscle strain, use rest and a cold pack for the first 24 to 48 hours
Seek urgent medical care if the pain is new, unexplained, or keeps happening
Seek urgent medical care if you have fever, cough, or pain when breathing
Seek urgent medical care if you have a history of heart disease, blood clots, or lung disease
Do not drive yourself if the pain is concerning
Get checked by a doctor as soon as possible if the chest pain is not clearly mild and temporary