Story at-a-glance
- Not all sudden chest pain signals a heart attack — less than 6% of emergency room visits for chest pain are life-threatening, according to a 2016 JAMA study
- Precordial catch syndrome, often triggered by poor posture or growth spurts, causes short, stabbing chest pain but is harmless and usually resolves on its own within minutes
- Digestive issues like gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) cause chest discomfort that mimics heart conditions; triggers include spicy food, alcohol, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and stress
- Other non-cardiac causes include panic attacks, rib strain, or costochondritis —these are painful but generally self-limiting and improve with rest, posture correction, or over-the-counter medications
- Life-threatening causes like pulmonary embolism or aortic dissection require urgent care; if chest pain radiates or includes fainting or breathlessness, seek emergency help immediately
