Can I Go to Urgent Care for Chest Pain?

Chest Pain: Where to Go and What You Should Know

Experiencing chest pain can feel alarming. And while not every pang means you’re having a heart attack, chest pain should always be taken seriously.

Knowing where to go — urgent care versus an emergency room (ER) — can help you get the right care faster.

Keep reading to learn where to go if you experience chest pain, common causes of chest pain and why it’s important to avoid self-diagnosing the possible cause or delaying care.

Why Chest Pain Almost Always Warrants a Trip to the ER

Chest pain can have many causes, from muscle strain or heartburn to more critical conditions like blocked arteries or a pulmonary embolism. And because some causes of chest pain can be life-threatening or signal serious underlying concerns, trying to figure out the reason for your chest pain on your own can delay critical care.

Urgent care centers are ideal for treating many common illnesses and injuries, but they aren’t equipped to handle potential cardiac events. It is almost always best to go directly to the ER, where advanced diagnostic tools and specialized care are available.

If you or a loved one experiences severe or unexplained chest pain, especially if it’s accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, dizziness or pain radiating to the jaw or arm, call 911 immediately.

Common Causes of Chest Pain

While some causes of chest pain stem from minor health conditions, others require emergency medical care.

While only a medical professional can rule out life-threatening issues, some potentially less serious causes of chest pain may turn out to be:

• Muscle strain (from lifting or exercise)
• Acid reflux or heartburn
• Anxiety or panic attacks
• Respiratory infections, like bronchitis
• Costochondritis (inflammation of the chest cartilage)
• Hiatal hernia
• Gallstones
• Swallowing disorders

These conditions may not be emergencies, but it's essential to let a medical provider make that determination, especially if you’re unsure.

Serious causes that require immediate emergency care include:

• Heart attack
• Pulmonary embolism (blood clot in the lungs)
• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiomyopathy
• Aortic dissection (tear in the body’s main artery)
• Pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart)
• Tear in the esophagus (esophageal rupture)
• Tension pneumothorax (collapsed lung)
• Severe asthma attacks

When to Go to the ER or Dial 911 Immediately

Always err on the side of caution.

If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, go to the ER or call 911:

• A known history of heart disease or high blood pressure
• Chest pain after an injury or trauma
• Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath, nausea, sweating or dizziness
• Fainting or feeling close to losing consciousness
• Irregular heartbeat or palpitations
• Pain radiating to the jaw, shoulder, arm or back
• Sudden, intense or crushing chest pain

Urgent Care’s Role in Chest Pain Evaluation

Never take chest pain lightly. Urgent care centers should only evaluate mild or unclear symptoms when you are confident that the pain is not cardiac-related. Urgent care providers will often refer patients with questionable chest pain to the ER for further testing.

Urgent care services may include the following:

• Basic physical exams
• Monitoring of vitals
• Chest X-rays (for possible respiratory infections)
• Electrocardiograms (ECG), if available
• Referral to an ER if a more advanced evaluation is needed

What to Expect at the ER for Chest Pain

When it comes to heart-related emergencies, time matters. The ER is the best place to receive potentially lifesaving intervention, as you’ll have access to advanced diagnostic tools and specialists who can rapidly assess you.

Diagnostic testing at the ER may include the following:

• Blood tests for cardiac enzymes
• ECG
• Chest X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans
• Cardiology consults
• Continuous monitoring

Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting an Urgent Care for Chest Pain

Can urgent care rule out a heart attack?

Urgent care centers cannot definitively diagnose or rule out a heart attack. The ER can. If you think you’re having a heart attack, do not delay care. Go to an emergency room or call 911 immediately.

Will urgent care do an ECG for chest pain?

Yes. However, if you’re experiencing chest pain, it’s best to go to the ER for immediate, comprehensive care.

Should I go to urgent care for heartburn or indigestion?

It depends on the severity and how often you get chest pain. If you have severe heartburn or recurring symptoms, yes! Urgent care can offer relief and guidance.

How do I know if my chest pain is a life-threatening condition?

Chest pain can be caused by many things, from a strained chest wall muscle to a serious condition like a heart attack.

It’s important to pay attention to the following symptoms, which may indicate a life-threatening condition:

• Pain spreading to your left arm
• A feeling of cold sweat or clamminess
• Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• Dizziness, nausea or sudden fatigue

If you experience these symptoms together, especially with intense or crushing chest pain, call 911 or go to the nearest ER immediately. If your chest discomfort is milder or you're unsure, our urgent care team can assess your condition quickly and determine the next best steps for care.

What can I do to prevent heart health issues?

Preventing heart disease starts with understanding your risk and making healthy choices. You can reduce high blood pressure by eating a heart-healthy diet, staying active and managing stress. Scheduling annual visits with your trusted primary care provider and getting routine blood tests and lab work can help track important health indicators like cholesterol, blood sugar and inflammation levels.

Early detection is key. If you’re experiencing ongoing chest discomfort, even if it feels minor, don’t ignore it. Our urgent care providers are here to help you take control of your heart health before a small issue becomes an emergency. Walk in or schedule an appointment online!

Go to the ER First, Always

Trust your gut, but don’t wait. Even if you think your chest pain is minor or unrelated to your heart, don’t delay care. An urgent care center can be helpful for non-cardiac causes of discomfort, but the ER is the right choice for any chest pain that is new, severe or unexplained.

When minutes matter, knowing where to go can help. At our AdventHealth Centra Care urgent care clinics, your health is our priority. While we’re equipped to evaluate many health concerns, we strongly encourage you to visit the ER for any form of chest pain, especially if symptoms are new, worsening or difficult to explain. Your quick decision could save your life or the life of someone you love.

If you have more questions regarding when to visit urgent care for chest pain, contact an urgent care center near you or schedule an appointment online.