Quality and reliability of chest Pain–Related short-form health videos on social media: A cross-sectional content analysis

Background & Aims Chest pain is one of the most common reasons for emergency medical visits. Increasingly, individuals seek preliminary explanations through short-form video (SFV) platforms before consulting healthcare professionals. In China, TikTok and Bilibili are major sources of public health information; however, the quality and reliability of symptom-focused chest pain content on these platforms remain poorly characterized. Unlike prior studies that primarily examine disease-specific videos, real-world health information–seeking often begins with symptoms rather than diagnoses. This study aimed to evaluate the quality, reliability, and content characteristics of chest pain–related SFVs in a real-world digital health context. Methods This cross-sectional study analyzed 200 Chinese-language short-form videos on adult chest pain from TikTok and Bilibili. Video quality and reliability were assessed using the JAMA benchmark criteria, Global Quality Scale, and modified DISCERN instrument. Content characteristics, uploader type, and engagement metrics were systematically evaluated, with high inter-rater reliability. Results Overall informational quality was suboptimal on both platforms, with uniformly low JAMA scores reflecting limited transparency regarding authorship and sources. TikTok videos demonstrated higher mean GQS and DISCERN scores and a greater proportion of medical professional uploaders compared with Bilibili. Content predominantly focused on symptom descriptions, differential diagnosis, and general management advice, while information on etiology, treatment options, and prevention was frequently incomplete. Videos produced by non-medical professional uploaders generated higher user engagement despite lower informational quality. Conclusion Chest pain-related SFVs on major Chinese platforms show substantial gaps in quality and reliability. Strengthening medical professional engagement, improving platform-level content governance, and promoting evidence-based symptom education may enhance digital health literacy and reduce risks associated with delayed care-seeking.