**It depends on the cause: chest pain can last a few seconds, 5 to 15 minutes, or ache for weeks, and the pattern tells you more than the total time.**
Angina linked to heart disease usually lasts about 5 to 15 minutes and settles when you rest or stop exerting yourself. Heart attack pain tends to last longer than a few minutes or to fade and return, and it often comes with sweating, nausea, or shortness of breath. Pain from a strained chest muscle or rib joint can linger for days to weeks and gets worse when you press the spot, twist, or take a deep breath. Heartburn burns for minutes up to a couple of hours, often after eating or when you lie down. Note when your pain starts, what you were doing, how long it lasts, and what makes it better, since that record helps a clinician sort out the cause quickly.
How to judge your chest pain
Common questions
How long does chest pain last?
Duration depends on the cause. Angina usually lasts about 5 to 15 minutes and eases with rest. Heart attack pain often lasts longer than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back, and may spread to the arm, jaw, neck, or back. Muscle or rib strain can ache for days to weeks and hurts more when you press the area or move. Heartburn burns for minutes to a couple of hours, usually after meals or when lying down. Anxiety related chest tightness often peaks within 10 to 20 minutes. Call 911 for chest pain lasting more than 5 minutes, or any chest pain with sweating, nausea, fainting, or trouble breathing.