Chest pain: An approach for family practice

Chest pain is a common symptom in clinical practice and has many aetiological factors. A rapid but systematic assessment of patients in a primary care setting is essential to identify those with potential life-threatening aetiologies of chest pain. Once a life-threatening aetiology has been excluded, a correct diagnosis can be derived from a careful history, physical examination and a few selected investigations. A patient can then be referred to a hospital or a specialist for further evaluation. Not every patient needs to be referred.