It can have a cardiac basis, meaning that it is related to your heart or it can be a sign that there is a problem in another body system such as your lungs or gastrointestinal tract. The best way to determine the cause of chest pain is to be seen by a qualified physician. Chest pain can signify a life threatening condition so it is best to have it evaluated promptly. The pain associated with a heart attack differs from person to person.
Many people describe it as a heavy pressure or squeezing sensation in the center of their chest.
Others report a burning or stabbing feeling. At times the pain may radiate to the arm, jaw, or back. The intensity of the pain is not an indicator of the degree of heart damage that may be occurring. Some people experience no symptoms during a heart attack. A characteristic of chest pain associated with a heart attack is that it is often unrelenting.