Recent-onset chest pain of suspected cardiac origin: assessment and diagnosis

Finding out what is wrong (making a diagnosis)

When you see a healthcare professional about your chest pain (this may be your GP, a member of the ambulance service or a healthcare professional in hospital), they should ask whether you currently have chest pain, or when you last had chest pain. They should ask if you have any other symptoms besides the chest pain and whether you have had these symptoms before, or had any investigation or treatment for them, in the past. You should also be assessed for any cardiovascular risk factors, such as whether you have high blood pressure or are a smoker.

If the healthcare professional thinks that you may have unstable angina or have had a heart attack, you should be offered the care and investigations described in investigations for unstable angina or a heart attack. If they think you may have stable angina, see tests used to diagnose stable angina for the care and investigations you should be offered.

If the chest pain is not thought to be because of your heart, other possible causes should be discussed with you and may be investigated.

While your healthcare professional is finding out what is wrong, you should have the opportunity to discuss any anxieties you may have about the cause of your chest pain.