KYW Newsradio’s Medical Reports are sponsored by Independence Blue Cross.
We know that there are many reasons for chest pain that are not associated with a heart attack, but you are playing Russian roulette if you think you can wait it out or avoid being seen.
When someone comes to the doctor's office complaining of chest pain, we don't take anything for granted. We routinely do EKGs and check blood work.
Our physical exams can help, but we need tests to evaluate fully and in those cases where there are suspicions, we do cardiac caths, echocardiograms and anything necessary because once heart tissue is damaged, we can't repair it.
So, the answer to the question is always get it checked out.