Chest Pain: Causes, When to Worry, and What Medications Can Help

When you feel chest pain, a discomfort or pressure in the chest area that can range from mild to severe. Also known as thoracic pain, it's one of the most common reasons people rush to the ER—but most cases aren't heart-related. It could be your heart, but it could also be your stomach, your muscles, or even a side effect of a medication you’re already taking.

Not all chest pain means a heart attack. Angina, for example, is chest discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, often triggered by stress or exercise. It usually goes away with rest or nitroglycerin. On the other hand, acid reflux can mimic heart pain with a burning feeling behind the breastbone, especially after eating or lying down. And here’s something most people don’t realize: some common drugs—like decongestants (found in cold medicines), NSAIDs like naproxen, or even certain antidepressants—can cause chest tightness or discomfort as a side effect. You might think it’s your heart, but it’s your medicine.

What makes chest pain tricky is how similar the symptoms can look. A heart issue often feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness that lasts more than a few minutes and may spread to your arm, jaw, or back. Acid reflux feels more like burning and gets worse after meals. Muscle strain hurts when you move or breathe deeply. And if you’ve recently started a new drug, that’s a red flag worth checking with your doctor. The key isn’t to guess—it’s to know what’s normal for you and when to act.

The posts below cover exactly these kinds of real-life situations: how medications can trigger chest discomfort, what to do when symptoms don’t match the textbook, and how to tell if it’s something you can manage at home—or something that needs emergency care. You’ll find advice on drug interactions that mimic heart problems, how to spot dangerous side effects from common prescriptions, and what questions to ask your pharmacist when something feels off. No fluff. Just clear, practical info to help you decide what to do next.