Chest twinges and soreness after cardiac arrest or ECMO: is this normal?

The short answer

Chest aches and twinges have many causes, and many are not heart problems. But chest pain can be a sign of a heart problem, and you cannot tell which from how it feels. Do not decide alone. If in doubt, call 911.Source:NHS (UK)American Heart Association

Ordinary causes

Chest pain has many causes, including a strained chest muscle, heartburn, and anxiety or panic. The NHS says not to diagnose yourself from your symptoms.Source:NHS (UK)

CPR can break ribs or the breastbone. Rib and breastbone fractures are common injuries of CPR.Source:Peer-reviewed review

If you have an ICD

Low-energy pacing from an ICD is not painful. You may not notice it, or you may feel a fluttering in your chest.Source:NIH (NHLBI)

A higher-energy shock can be painful and may feel like being kicked in the chest.Source:Mayo Clinic

Why not to decide alone

A heart attack can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest. It can last more than a few minutes, or it can go away and come back.Source:American Heart Association

Anxiety can cause sharp chest pain with a faster heartbeat, sweating and dizziness, which can be hard to tell from a heart problem.Source:NHS (UK)

Even if you are not sure it is a heart attack, get checked out.Source:American Heart Association

What to do

Tell your care team about any chest pain, even a twinge that passes quickly, if it still worries you. If it comes back, or you are not sure, call 911.Source:NHS (UK)American Heart Association

Call 911 if...

Pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.Source:American Heart Association
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.Source:American Heart Association
Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort.Source:American Heart Association
A cold sweat, nausea, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, feeling lightheaded or unusually tired, along with other signs.Source:American Heart Association
It feels like it did before your cardiac arrest, or you are not sure. Even if you are not sure it is a heart attack, get checked out.Source:American Heart Association
Calling 911 is almost always the fastest way to get treatment, because the ambulance team can start treatment when they arrive.Source:American Heart Association

Call 911

Call your care team the same day if...

A sharp twinge that passes quickly but still worries you. If it comes back, call 911.Source:NHS (UK)American Heart Association

Quick answers

Is chest soreness normal after CPR?

CPR can break ribs or the breastbone, and these are common injuries of CPR, so a sore chest wall is a recognized result. Tell your care team about any chest pain so they can check it.

Source:Peer-reviewed review

How do I know if chest pain is serious?

Pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or comes back, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back, and shortness of breath are warning signs of a heart attack. The American Heart Association says to call 911 if you have any of them.

Source:American Heart Association

Where this comes from

General information, not medical advice. Talk to your care team.