No problem - thanks for clarifying. So to confirm, you're saying: pain happens when you walk or do physical work (exertion), and there is NO pain at rest - it only comes on with exertion and goes away when you stop. Is that correct?
If so, this changes things a bit:
This pattern (pain only with exertion, none at rest) is classic for stable angina - still a heart-related warning sign, but a more predictable and typically less immediately dangerous pattern than pain occurring at rest.
What this means for you:
- This is not necessarily a "call an ambulance right this second" situation if you are currently pain-free and the pain reliably only shows up with exertion and reliably goes away with rest, with no chest pain, arm/neck pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or dizziness happening right now.
- However, exertional chest pain with radiation to the neck and right arm still needs a prompt medical evaluation (within the next day, ideally sooner) - this is how real cardiac disease often first presents, and it should be worked up with an ECG, blood tests, and likely a stress test or coronary imaging, not managed by guessing.
- Go to the ER immediately, without waiting for a routine appointment, if:
- The pain happens again and doesn't go away with rest within a few minutes
- It starts happening with less and less exertion than before (worsening pattern)
- It occurs at rest even once
- You get shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, or a sense of pressure/heaviness along with it
Practical next step: Book an urgent visit with a doctor (GP, urgent care, or cardiologist) in the next day or two to get an ECG and proper cardiac risk assessment - don't leave exertional chest/arm/neck pain unevaluated, even if it currently resolves with rest. It's the kind of symptom that's much better caught early.
Do you currently have any pain right now, or are you symptom-free at this moment?