Chest pain: what primary care nurses need to know

Primary care clinicians are likely to encounter patients experiencing chest pain. This could be caused by a wide range of factors, less serious musculoskeletal issues and life-threatening heart problems. This article provides an overview of chest pain assessment, triage and onward referral for primary care nurses, discussing cardiac conditions such as acute coronary syndrome, angina and aortic dissection, as well as non-cardiac causes of chest pain. A systematic method of physical assessment and investigation is described, including the benefits and limitations of electrocardiogram use in primary care. The article emphasises that early detection of warning signs and an individualised approach to care are essential for managing chest pain in primary care settings.