November 13, 2026 · ✓ Medically Reviewed by Apex Clinical Team
Chest pain that feels like pressure, tightness or squeezing, lasts more than a few minutes, or comes with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck or back should be treated as a possible heart attack: call 108 or 112 straight away. Do not drive yourself, and do not wait to "see if it settles". If the pain is mild and clearly linked to food or movement, you still need a doctor to rule out a heart cause — especially if you have risk factors.
This guide is for people who work in Manyata Tech Park, Hebbal, Thanisandra, Jakkur and Yelahanka, and who commute along the airport corridor.
Why heart health matters on this corridor
Cardiovascular disease is the world's leading cause of death. The World Health Organization estimates 19.8 million people died from cardiovascular diseases in 2022 — about 32% of all deaths — and 85% of these were due to heart attack and stroke (WHO). High blood pressure is a major driver, and WHO estimates that around 44% of adults with hypertension don't know they have it (WHO).
Long desk hours, irregular meals, stress, poor sleep and long commutes are common in North Bengaluru's IT and airport-linked workforce. Add the city's traffic and you have a real-world problem: reaching care quickly. From 6 November 2026, Ballari Road between UAS Staff Quarters and Mehkri Circle faces 18 months of restrictions, and traffic police have advised vehicles travelling via Hebbal — including emergency vehicles — to use alternative routes (Business Standard). Knowing your nearest emergency department before you need it is worth five minutes today.
Heart attack warning signs
The most common symptoms, as listed by the NHS, are:
- chest pain — pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across the chest
- pain that spreads to the left or right arm, the neck, jaw, back or stomach
- feeling light-headed or dizzy
- sweating
- shortness of breath
- feeling or being sick
- an overwhelming feeling of anxiety
Some people, particularly women, older adults and people with diabetes, may have milder or unusual symptoms, such as breathlessness, unexplained tiredness or upper stomach discomfort, without classic chest pain.
Heart attack vs acidity vs muscle pain vs anxiety
| Feature | Possible heart attack | Acidity / reflux | Muscle strain | Panic / anxiety |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Typical feel | Pressure, heaviness, squeezing | Burning behind the breastbone | Sharp, localised soreness | Tight chest, racing heart |
| Trigger | Exertion, stress, or at rest | After meals, lying down, bending | Lifting, twisting, coughing | Stress, fear, sometimes none |
| Spread | Arm, jaw, neck, back | Throat, sour taste | Stays in one spot | Often tingling hands |
| Other signs | Sweating, breathlessness, nausea | Bloating, belching | Pain on pressing the area | Fast breathing, fear |
| Duration | Usually more than a few minutes | Varies; may ease with antacid | Worse with movement | Peaks within minutes |
| What to do | Call 108/112 now | See a doctor if frequent | Rest; see a doctor if severe | Seek medical check first time |
Important: this table is a guide, not a diagnosis. Symptoms overlap, and acidity-like pain can be a heart problem. If you are unsure, treat it as an emergency. Only an ECG, blood tests and a doctor's assessment can tell the difference.
What to do if chest pain starts at work or in traffic
At the office (Manyata, Hebbal, Thanisandra)
- Stop what you are doing, sit down and tell a colleague.
- Call 108 or 112, or your campus emergency/security team.
- If you are not allergic and a doctor has not told you to avoid it, emergency services may advise chewing an aspirin — follow the instructions of the call handler.
- If the person collapses and isn't breathing normally, start CPR and use an AED if one is available.
In a car or cab
- Do not keep driving. Pull over safely and call 108 or 112.
- If someone else is driving, head to the nearest emergency department, not the "best-known" hospital across the city.
- Share your live location with family.
What happens in the emergency department
On arrival, a team will usually:
- record an ECG within minutes
- take blood tests such as troponin, which rises when heart muscle is damaged
- check blood pressure, oxygen levels and heart rhythm
- give medicines to relieve pain and reduce clotting where appropriate
- decide on further tests such as an echocardiogram or referral for angiography
The Cardiology department at Apex Multispeciality Hospital evaluates chest pain and heart conditions, with support from our internal medicine physicians for blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol control.
Know your numbers: a simple risk checklist
You should consider a heart check-up if you have any of the following:
| Risk factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Blood pressure 140/90 mmHg or higher | WHO's threshold for hypertension; strains the heart and arteries |
| Diabetes or prediabetes | Raises the risk of heart attack and silent symptoms |
| High cholesterol | Contributes to plaque in the arteries |
| Smoking or tobacco use | Damages blood vessels |
| Family history of early heart disease | Higher inherited risk |
| Inactivity, central weight gain, poor sleep | Linked to several heart risk factors |
A preventive health check that includes blood pressure, blood sugar, lipid profile and ECG is a sensible starting point for working adults.
When to see a cardiologist (non-emergency)
Book an appointment if you have:
- chest discomfort that comes on with exertion and eases with rest
- breathlessness climbing stairs that is new or getting worse
- palpitations, fainting or near-fainting
- swelling of the ankles
- known heart disease and new or changing symptoms
You can find a doctor or contact us to book a cardiology consultation.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if chest pain is a heart attack or gas?
You cannot be sure without an ECG and blood tests. Pressure-like pain lasting more than a few minutes, or pain with sweating, breathlessness, nausea or spreading to the arm, jaw or back, should be treated as an emergency. Call 108 or 112.
Can young IT professionals have a heart attack?
Yes. Heart attacks are more common with age, but younger adults can be affected, particularly with smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol or a strong family history. Never ignore warning signs because of age.
Should I drive myself to hospital with chest pain?
No. Call 108 or 112. If that is not possible, ask someone else to drive you to the nearest emergency department. Driving with a possible heart attack puts you and others at risk.
What tests are done for chest pain?
Common first tests are an ECG and blood tests such as troponin. Depending on the results, doctors may advise an echocardiogram, treadmill test or coronary angiography.
Where can I see a cardiologist near Yelahanka?
Apex Multispeciality Hospital on Bellahalli Main Road, Yelahanka, Sathanur has a Cardiology department. For emergencies call +91-80-29917805; for appointments call +91-80-29918321.
Contact Apex Multispeciality Hospital, Yelahanka
Apex Multispeciality Hospital, Bellahalli Main Road, Near Reva University, Yelahanka, Sathanur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560064.
- Emergency: +91-80-29917805
- Appointments: +91-80-29918321
- WhatsApp: +91 82964 22571
- Contact us and directions
In a life-threatening emergency, call 112 (national emergency number) or 108 (ambulance) and go to the nearest emergency department.
Reviewed by the Apex clinical team. This article is for general health information and is not a substitute for a consultation, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified doctor. If you think you or someone with you is having a medical emergency, call 112 or 108 immediately.
