Coronary artery disease
Coronary artery disease is narrowing of the heart's arteries by fatty plaque.
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Conditions · Dubai
Chest pain: when to see a cardiologist in Dubai
Chest pain has many causes, from muscles and the stomach to the lungs and the heart. Pain that feels like pressure or tightness, especially with effort, can be angina and should be checked. Sudden, severe chest pain is an emergency: call 998. Dr Shady Habboush assesses chest pain at Saudi German Hospital Dubai.
Dr Shady HabboushConsultant Interventional Cardiology · Saudi German Hospital Dubai2 min read4 sourcesMedically reviewed against ESC and NHS guidance
01
Signs worth a check
- Pressure, tightness or heaviness in the chest that comes on with effort or stress and settles with rest
- Pain that spreads to the arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach
- Chest discomfort with breathlessness, sweating or nausea
- Any chest pain if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoke, or have a family history of early heart disease
Chest pain right now?
Do not wait for an appointment. Call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Risks and alternatives
Tests for chest pain have their own small risks, which are explained before each one. Not every chest pain needs every test: the aim is the fewest tests that answer the question safely.
02
How it is assessed
- 01
Your story comes first: what the pain feels like, when it comes and what eases it.
- 02
Examination, blood pressure and an ECG.
- 03
Blood tests if needed, including markers of heart muscle damage when the pain is recent.
- 04
Further tests chosen for you: an echo, a stress test, a CT coronary angiogram or, in some cases, an invasive angiogram.
- 05
A clear explanation of the likely cause and the plan, which may be reassurance, medicines or further treatment.
03
Treatment options
If the pain comes from the heart, treatment depends on the cause: medicines for angina, controlling risk factors, and sometimes a stent or bypass surgery.
If the heart is not the cause, you will be told what the likely cause is and who to see next.
04
Questions about this
Is chest pain always a heart problem?
No. Chest pain can come from the muscles, the stomach, the lungs or stress. It should still be checked. Sudden, severe or crushing chest pain is an emergency: call 998.
When should I call 998?
Call 998 for chest pain that comes on suddenly and does not go away, or feels like pressure, squeezing or heaviness, especially with sweating, breathlessness, light-headedness, nausea, or pain spreading to the arm, neck, jaw, back or stomach. Do not drive yourself.
Can a normal ECG rule out heart disease?
No. An ECG at rest can be normal even when the arteries are narrowed. Other tests may be needed, depending on your symptoms and risk.
What is angina?
Chest pain or tightness caused by the heart muscle not getting enough blood, usually during effort. It is a warning sign of coronary artery disease and needs assessment.
05
Related guides
Coronary angiography
A coronary angiogram is an X-ray test that shows the arteries that supply the heart.
Read the guideHeart check-up
A heart check-up with a cardiologist combines your history, an examination, an ECG and only the tests you need, followed by a clear explanation of your own risk.
Read the guideSources
Medical facts on this page follow the sources below.
- NHS: Chest pain
- NHS: Angina
- NHS: Heart attack
- 2024 ESC Guidelines for the management of chronic coronary syndromes. Eur Heart J 2024
Medically reviewed against ESC and NHS guidance · Updated October 2026. General information, not medical advice.
Location and booking
Book a consultation
Appointments are made through Saudi German Hospital Dubai, Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3. Consultations in Arabic, English and German.
- Address
- Hessa Street, Al Barsha 3, Dubai
- Languages
- Arabic, English, German
Chest pain right now? Do not wait for an appointment. Call 998 or go to the nearest emergency department.