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First aid · Australia

Chest pain

Call 000 for concerning chest pain or warning signs, sit the person comfortably and keep them still. For non-traumatic adult chest pain, chew 300 mg aspirin only within the safe allergy and medical boundary.

Medical emergency? Call 000

What to do

  1. Call 000

    Call 000 and ask for an ambulance.

    Take care. Do not drive the person yourself when an ambulance is available.

  2. Rest comfortably

    Sit the person comfortably, keep them still and reassure them.

    Take care. Do not leave them alone or encourage them to walk around.

  3. Follow medicine instructions

    Follow the call-taker and use prescribed angina medicine only as directed.

    Take care. Do not give someone else's prescription medicine.

  4. Aspirin: check safety first

    For non-traumatic adult chest pain, chew 300 mg aspirin only if safe and not contraindicated.

    Can an adult take aspirin?

    For non-traumatic adult chest pain, chew 300 mg aspirin only if the person can safely swallow, is not allergic to aspirin and has not been told not to take it. Follow the call-taker or doctor advice.

    Take care. Do not give aspirin to a child or to anyone with an allergy or medical warning against it.

  5. If unresponsive: check breathing

    If unresponsive and not breathing normally, start CPR and use an AED.

Know when to act

When to get help

  • Chest pressure, pain spreading to the arm, jaw, back or neck, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, collapse or symptoms lasting 10 minutes requires 000.

Children and babies

  • This guide is primarily for adults. Sudden or severe chest pain, breathing difficulty, collapse or unusual symptoms in a child still need urgent 000 assessment.
  • Do not give aspirin to a child unless a medical professional specifically directs it.
  • Keep the child still and comfortable, monitor breathing and follow the 000 call-taker rather than guessing a medication dose.

Keep checking

  • Monitor response and breathing continuously until ambulance staff take over.

What you may notice

  • Pressure, tightness, heaviness or pain may spread to an arm, shoulder, jaw, back or neck.
  • Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness, unusual fatigue or collapse can occur with a heart attack.
  • Symptoms may be mild, unusual or mistaken for indigestion, especially in women and older people.

When help arrives

  • Sit the person comfortably, keep them still and monitor response and breathing.
  • Tell the call-taker when symptoms began, what the person felt, which medicines were taken and whether the pain is changing.

Other useful answers

What if symptoms improve?

Still arrange urgent medical assessment. Heart attack symptoms can be mild or change over time.

Can a heart attack feel like indigestion?

Yes. Mild, unusual or non-chest symptoms can still be serious. Call 000 if you are concerned rather than waiting for certainty.

What is the difference between a heart attack and cardiac arrest?

A person having a heart attack is usually conscious and breathing. A person in cardiac arrest is unresponsive and not breathing normally; call 000, start CPR and use an AED if available.

Sources and last update

Content updated: 6 September 2026.

These sources inform the guidance. This independent resource is not a substitute for a first aid course or medical assessment. An editorial update is not independent clinical review. Source organisations have not endorsed this site.

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