Medically reviewed by Dr Pinakin V Parekh, General & Interventional Cardiologist (MBBS (Singapore), MRCP (UK), GDFM (Singapore), FAMS (Singapore), FRCP (Glasgow)). Last Updated: 2026, 28 August
Founder & Medical Director of Trident Heart Centre
Dr Pinakin V Parekh is an interventional cardiologist in Singapore with over 20 years of experience in heart care. He specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of heart diseases, including procedures such as angiogram and angioplasty.
Chest pain is one of the most common symptoms that causes people to seek medical attention. It can range from mild discomfort to severe pain and may come from the heart, lungs, digestive system, muscles, or other structures in the chest.
Because some causes are serious, new, severe, or recurring chest pain should not be ignored.
Heart-related chest pain is often described as:
Not everyone experiences chest pain in the same way. Some people may feel pressure, burning, breathlessness, or unusual fatigue instead of sharp pain.
Important Note:
Heart-related chest pain can present differently in different people. If you are unsure, especially if symptoms are new, worsening, or accompanied by breathlessness, dizziness, sweating, or fainting, seek medical assessment promptly.
Chest pain can have many causes. Some are heart-related, while others are not.
Although chest pain can come from many sources, a cardiac cause should be considered, especially if symptoms occur with exertion or in people with cardiovascular risk factors.
Left-sided chest pain is a common concern because it can be associated with heart disease.
Possible causes include:
Persistent, worsening, or unexplained left-sided chest pain should be medically evaluated.
Right-sided chest pain is often less likely to be caused by the heart, but it can still occur.
Possible causes include:
Severe, unexplained, or persistent right-sided chest pain should still be assessed by a doctor.
Seek urgent medical attention if chest pain occurs with any of the following:
These symptoms can sometimes indicate a serious cardiac emergency and should not be ignored.
Consider a cardiology assessment if:
Even mild symptoms can sometimes be linked to underlying heart disease, particularly in people with risk factors.
A cardiologist may use several tests to determine whether chest pain is heart-related.
Checks the heart’s electrical activity and rhythm.
Uses ultrasound to assess heart structure, valves, and pumping function.
Evaluates how the heart performs during exercise or medication-induced stress.
Provides detailed imaging of the coronary arteries to look for plaque or narrowing.
An invasive procedure that directly visualises the heart arteries when significant blockage is suspected.
Intracoronary physiology is an advanced assessment that measures blood flow within the heart arteries and their smaller blood vessels to determine whether a narrowing is truly affecting the heart. It provides more detailed information than imaging alone, helping guide the most appropriate treatment.
Patients often value Dr Pinakin’s approach because it focuses on:
Understanding exactly how the pain feels, when it occurs, and what may be triggering it.
Assessing whether symptoms may be related to heart disease, circulation problems, or other underlying conditions.
Recommending the most appropriate investigations based on symptoms and risk factors.
No. Chest pain can have many causes, including muscle strain, acid reflux, lung conditions, and anxiety. However, new, severe, or persistent chest pain should be evaluated to rule out heart disease.
Yes. Anxiety and panic attacks can cause chest discomfort, palpitations, and tightness. Because heart symptoms can overlap, medical assessment is sometimes needed to distinguish the cause.
Not always. A normal ECG does not completely exclude coronary artery disease, especially if symptoms persist. Further testing may sometimes be needed.
Muscular chest pain is often worse with movement or pressing on the area. Heart-related chest pain is more likely to feel like pressure or tightness, especially during activity. If you are unsure, it is best to seek medical assessment.
Dr Pinakin uses current, evidence-based methods to carefully evaluate and treat heart conditions, helping you feel confident in your care.
Every patient is treated as an individual, with attention to your full health and lifestyle, not just the heart problem.
From assessment to treatment, screenings and procedures are conveniently coordinated in one place for a smoother, more reassuring experience.
