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Chest pain: First aid

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First aid for chest pain depends on the cause. Causes of chest pain can vary from minor problems, such as heartburn or emotional stress, to serious medical emergencies, such as a heart attack or blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism).

It can be difficult to tell if your chest pain is due to a heart attack or other health condition, especially if you've never had chest pain before. Don't try to diagnose the cause yourself. Seek emergency medical help if you have unexplained chest pain that lasts more than a few minutes.