​                     Professor Francisco Leyva-León

Chest pain of cardiac origin, or angina, is usually a heavy, constricting pain, felt in the centre of the chest. It can extend, or 'radiate', to the arms (more frequently the left), neck and jaw. Less frequently, it can be felt in the lower chest, stomach or back. It is typically precipitated by physical exertion and relieved by rest. Chest pain can also be due to problems with the muscles and bones in the chest, or to lung and stomach conditions. The safest approach is to assume that any chest pain is cardiac in origin unless proven otherwise.

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If chest pain occurs at rest, you should consider a ​heart attack (myocardial infarction, MI). ​Typically, the pain of a heart attack is severe and it may be associated with sweating, clamminess, vomiting, a racing heart and lightheadedness . You should seek emergency help. Remember every minute counts.



If chest pain only occurs on exertion, you should consider angina.

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Private Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic (RACPC)



If you have severe chest pain at rest, you must attend hospital immediately. If you have intermittent chest pain, present at rest or on exertion, you must assume that it is cardiac in nature until proved otherwise.

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The Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic run by Professor Francisco Leyva-Leon at the Harborne Hospital provides a one-stop opportunity for the diagnosis of chest pain. The clinic appointment will consist of:

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• A pre-test consultation: history, examination

• A heart trace (ECG)

• A CT coronary angiogram

• A post-test consultation with Prof Leyva-Leon

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A treatment plan based on the findings of the consultation, ECG and CT coronary angiogram will be drawn immediately. This may include: reassurance if the findings do not suggest heart disease; drug treatment; angioplasty and stents; and, coronary artery bypass surgery.

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To book a RACPC appointment, please make an appointment with Prof. Leyva-Leon at The Harborne Hospital (see above).​​