Abdominal Pain and Chest Pain: When to Go to the ER

Chest pain and abdominal pain are two of the most common reasons people visit the emergency room. Although commonly associated with heart attacks, stomach and chest pain can also be related to issues with various areas of your body, including your intestines, lungs, muscles, ribs, and/or nerves. Regardless of the cause, chest and abdominal pain are not something that should be ignored — individually or when accompanying one another.

If you’re experiencing severe or concerning pain, don’t wait for your symptoms to worsen — visit one of Complete Care’s 24/7 freestanding emergency rooms in Texas or Colorado Springs for immediate evaluation and treatment. 

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• When to go to the ER for abdominal pain
• Abdominal pain causes
• When to go to the ER for chest pain
• Chest pain causes
• Treatment

For life-threatening situations, please call 911.

When to go to the ER for abdominal pain

There are two types of abdominal pain:

1. Generalized pain: This pain affects large areas of your abdomen and can be associated with many different conditions, like gas, indigestion, food poisoning, or the stomach flu. Generalized abdominal pain often resolves without medical treatment, though persistent pain should be evaluated.

2. Localized pain: This pain occurs in one specific area of your abdomen, such as lower left abdominal pain. Localized pain typically comes on suddenly and worsens over time, often indicating a more serious condition requiring immediate medical attention.

Abdominal pain ranges from mild discomfort to severe, debilitating pain. Knowing when stomach pain requires emergency care is essential for your health and safety.

Emergency abdominal pain symptoms

How do I tell if my abdominal pain is serious? You should visit the ER if your abdominal pain is accompanied by the following symptoms:

• Severe abdominal pain that comes on suddenly
• Abdominal pain accompanied by fever, vomiting, or inability to pass stool
• Pain that worsens with movement or touch
• Abdominal pain with bloody or black stool
• Pain accompanied by difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, or chest pain
• Abdominal pain during pregnancy
• Pain following an abdominal injury or trauma

Common causes of abdominal pain

When it comes to diagnosing abdominal pain, there are many different factors, including the severity of pain, its location, and other symptoms, that could help your doctor figure out what is causing your stomach pain. 

As a freestanding ER, here are the most common causes of abdominal pain that we see in patients:

1. Appendicitis

Appendicitis is the inflammation of your appendix, a small organ attached to your large intestine. Appendix pain typically begins near the belly button and moves to the lower right side of your abdomen. The pain can be severe and may spread to your back or chest. Appendicitis requires immediate medical attention, as a ruptured appendix can be life-threatening, with most cases requiring surgical removal of the inflamed appendix.

2. Gallstones

Your gallbladder is a small organ located below your liver on the right side of your abdomen that stores digestive fluid. When this bile hardens, gallstones form, causing symptoms like severe stomach pain, chest pain, or shoulder blade pain. 

Gallstones can lead to potentially life-threatening conditions, including cholecystitis, sepsis, or gallbladder cancer if left untreated. If you suspect gallstones, visit a Complete Care emergency room for immediate evaluation and treatment.

3. Kidney stones

Kidney stones are hard deposits of minerals and salts that form in your kidneys and must pass through your urinary system or, in more serious cases, can be broken up/removed by your doctor. Kidney stone pain is notoriously severe, with symptoms including intense pain on the side of your abdomen or back, painful urination, cloudy or bloody urine, fever, and nausea. Kidney stones require prompt medical attention for pain management and to prevent complications, so visit an emergency room as soon as you suspect any pain in that area.

4. Gas and bloating

Gas can cause pain in the lower left abdomen or throughout your digestive tract. While gas is typically not a medical emergency, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Gas pain often resolves by passing gas, belching, or taking over-the-counter remedies. 

If abdominal pain persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, seek medical evaluation to rule out more serious conditions.

When to go to the ER for chest pain

Chest pain can indicate serious or life-threatening conditions requiring immediate medical attention. While not all chest pain is cardiac-related, recognizing the warning signs that require emergency care is critical — especially since heart attacks can cause permanent damage or death when left untreated.

Emergency chest pain symptoms

How do I know if chest pain is serious? Chest pain should never be ignored. While not all chest pain indicates a heart attack, it’s crucial to recognize warning signs that require immediate emergency care.

• Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, back, or shoulder
• A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing sensation under your breastbone
• Chest pain accompanied by shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity
• Nausea, dizziness, rapid heart rate, confusion, or excessive sweating alongside chest pain
• Very low blood pressure or very low heart rate
• Sudden sharp chest pain with difficulty breathing

Do not drive yourself to the hospital if you suspect a heart attack. Call 911 immediately or have someone bring you to a 24/7 ER like Complete Care where you can be seen within minutes.

Common causes of chest pain

Understanding what might be causing your chest pain can help you make informed decisions about seeking emergency care.

1. Heart attack

When a blockage prevents blood from reaching a section of your heart, you may experience a heart attack. Heart attacks are life-threatening medical emergencies that cause permanent heart damage when left untreated. Symptoms of a heart attack include: 

• Tightness in the chest
• Shortness of breath
• Lightheadedness
• Pain radiating through your left arm, jaw, or back

Never wait to seek emergency medical care if you suspect a heart attack. Complete Care’s freestanding ERs are equipped with advanced cardiac care capabilities and are open 24/7.

2. Acid reflux (GERD)

Acid reflux, also known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occurs when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus. This can cause a burning sensation in your throat and chest pain that may feel similar to heart-related chest pain. While acid reflux itself isn’t typically a medical emergency, severe or persistent symptoms should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.

3. Indigestion 

Gas can cause pain in your chest and esophagus, particularly after consuming excess food or trigger foods like broccoli, beans, eggs, or fatty foods. While uncomfortable, gas-related chest pain typically resolves on its own. Try drinking carbonated beverages, taking a walk, or massaging your abdomen. However, if you’re unsure whether your chest pain is from gas or something more serious, seek medical evaluation. Always better to be safe rather than sorry!

Chest and abdominal pain treatment at Complete Care

When you arrive at Complete Care with chest pain, abdominal pain, or both at the same time, our emergency medicine specialists work quickly to diagnose the cause and provide appropriate treatment. Understanding what to expect can help ease anxiety during an emergency visit.

What will the ER do for chest pain?

When you arrive at the emergency room with chest pain, our medical team immediately assesses your symptoms and begins diagnostic testing to determine the cause and rule out life-threatening conditions like a heart attack.

Diagnostic tests for chest pain typically include:

• EKG (Electrocardiogram): A quick, non-invasive test that measures your heart’s electrical activity to detect heart attacks, arrhythmias, or other cardiac issues
• Blood tests: Cardiac enzyme tests (troponin) that detect heart muscle damage, along with other blood work to assess overall health
• Chest X-ray: Imaging to examine your heart, lungs, and chest structure for abnormalities
• CT scan: Advanced imaging when needed to evaluate for blood clots, aortic dissection, or other serious conditions
• Vital signs monitoring: Continuous monitoring of blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen levels, and breathing

Treatment for chest pain depends on the diagnosis:

• Heart attack: Immediate treatment may include medications to restore blood flow, oxygen therapy, and stabilization before transfer to a cardiac facility if needed
• Acid reflux/GERD: Antacids, proton pump inhibitors, and dietary recommendations
• Muscle strain or inflammation: Pain management and anti-inflammatory medications
• Anxiety-related chest pain: Reassurance, breathing techniques, and appropriate medications if needed

Complete Care’s freestanding ERs are fully equipped with advanced cardiac monitoring and diagnostic capabilities to quickly identify and treat chest pain emergencies.

What will the ER do for abdominal pain?

Diagnosing abdominal pain can be complex due to the many organs in your abdomen. Our emergency physicians use a combination of physical examination and diagnostic testing to pinpoint the source of your pain.

Diagnostic tests for abdominal pain typically include:

• Physical examination: Your doctor will palpate (press on) different areas of your abdomen to identify the pain’s location and severity
• Blood tests: Complete blood count (CBC), liver and kidney function tests, and other labs to detect infection, inflammation, or organ dysfunction
• Urinalysis: Testing for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or other urinary system issues
• Ultrasound: Imaging to visualize organs like your gallbladder, appendix, kidneys, and reproductive organs
• CT scan: Detailed cross-sectional imaging to identify appendicitis, kidney stones, bowel obstructions, or other abdominal emergencies
• X-ray: Imaging to check for bowel obstructions, perforations, or other abnormalities

Treatment for abdominal pain depends on the diagnosis:

• Appendicitis: IV antibiotics, pain management, and surgical consultation for appendix removal
• Kidney stones: IV fluids, pain medication, anti-nausea medication, and treatment to help pass the stone
• Gallstones: Pain management, anti-nausea medication, and surgical consultation for gallbladder removal if needed
• Gastroenteritis or infection: IV fluids for dehydration, antibiotics if bacterial, and symptom management
• Bowel obstruction: IV fluids, NG tube placement if needed, and surgical consultation

At Complete Care, our emergency rooms feature on-site digital imaging, including ultrasound, CT scans, and X-rays, allowing for rapid diagnosis without waiting for off-site imaging appointments. This means faster answers and faster treatment for your abdominal pain.

Experiencing abnormal abdominal pain or chest pain? Visit Complete Care ER for quality treatment.

Whether you’re experiencing chest pain or abdominal pain, knowing when to seek emergency care can save your life.  When emergency symptoms arise, every minute counts — so why wait hours in a hospital waiting room when you could be seen in minutes? Complete Care’s 24/7 freestanding emergency rooms offer the same advanced medical care as hospital ERs but with significantly shorter wait times and rapid testing for your peace of mind. 

Our board-certified emergency physicians are available 24/7 to diagnose and treat chest and abdominal pain when you visit any of our locations throughout Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, San Antonio, and Colorado Springs.