Although neck pain does not signal a serious medical problem most of the time, there are occasions when it is a sign of a more serious condition such as: Heart attack - Neck pain may be a sign of a heart attack if: You are female It is accompanied by other signs, like severe fatigue, shortness of breath, sudden or excessive sweating, or chest pain or pressure Cancer - Neck pain may be a sign of cancer if: You have a lump, swelling or a sore that does not heal It is accompanied by other signs, like mouth problems, persistent throat or facial pain, frequent headaches, numbness in the head and neck region, ear pain or ringing in the ears, voice changes or hoarseness, or nasal problems Stroke - Neck pain may be a sign of stroke if: The pain is unusual, persistent and often accompanied by a severe headache. It could be the result of a cervical artery dissection. You also have stroke symptoms such as dizziness, double vision, jerky eye movements, unsteadiness while walking, or slurred speech.