Handouts
Chest symptoms: when to get urgent care
Simple safety-net steps for chest pain, pressure, and breathing symptoms.
Last reviewed 2026-02-07|cardio | respiratory | patient
How to use this handout
Get emergency help now for chest pressure, pain spreading to arm or jaw, severe shortness of breath, fainting, new confusion, or sweating with nausea.
If symptoms are mild but do not improve quickly, do not wait. Seek urgent assessment the same day.
Follow your treatment plan, avoid heavy exertion until reassessed, and keep all follow-up appointments.
Return precautions (patient script)
Suggested plain-language wording for safety-net counseling:
If symptoms get worse, new warning signs appear, or you cannot follow the plan from this visit, seek urgent care now.
- Use with the specific red flags listed on this page.
- Confirm follow-up timing and where to go after-hours.
- Document that return precautions were reviewed and understood.
Source and licensing
Original handout created for DrSonia. Symptom urgency messaging aligned with Heart & Stroke education.