Heart attack question?

My husband gets chest pains that begin in the front of his chest, he says they sort of radiate out and then go back to the middle... the pain eventually ends up hurting into his back/the core of his chest. I asked if it could be described as pressure pain, and he said yeah...
He has high blood pressure for a 28 year old, eats very poorly and does drink... aside from a heart attack, why could he get such pain? He said the pain will wake him from his sleep, and hurts VERY VERY VERY badly.

Any insight/info is appreciated. Thanks.
Additional Details
He has been to the Dr (sorry I didn't post that initially) and honestly, they don't seem to think it's important. He's gone to the ER and it's "ho hum" seeming to them... I don't know...
I'm worried, but either he won't go, or the times he has, they treat it like he just has a stubbed toe or something.

DKT	The fact that he is getting these pains should be a wake up call to him that he needs to look after his health. There are some good answers as to what it might be. I'll suggest that he look to the future and start exercising, drinking only moderately and eating a healthy diet. Also lose weight if he's over weight. A good resource for you and him is http://www.smart-heart-living.com/index.html It has sections with tips, information and resources on all of these topics and more. I hope you find it useful... Good luck to you and your husband!

Mrs. Doubtfire	It is VERY EASY to determine if the pains are angina or not. If they can be brought on by physical effort/stress, and then they go away when he stops and rests, then it's 90% certain it's angina. If it's NOT stress-related in this way, the probability is that his doctor is right (although there IS a condition where angina is "unstable" and can occur at any time). Secondly, IF the pains can be relieved by sucking a tri-nitrotoluene tablet (or a puff from the special inhaler) then the pains are indeed angina, and he does need -as another Answer points out-, a treadmill (Bruce Protocol) test. If his doctor won't arrange this, then get another doctor. You don't say what his "blood-pressure" is? What figures is he getting? And have they recently changed?

straightener	The pains you describe seem very much like angina. Also is it occuring immediately after sex? ECG of the tread mill kind would be better than a stationery ECG. See a cardiologist to rule out the possibility.

Rafael n	most of the symptoms you describe corresponds to angina which is a prelude of the heart attack. He should see a cardiologist, take a quick test to detect what vessel is being obstructed and fix it ASAP. A pain that goes to the back also correspond to damage of a big vessel in the middle of the body call aorta. Good luck

ninamcguinness	He really needs to see the doctor as soon as possible. Anytime someone with a history of hypertension has chest pains, it needs to be addressed immediately. His age is irrelevant, anyone can have a heart attack at any age. There are a number of things that could cause the pain, gastro-intestinal disorders such as Acid reflux Disease, Angina, and even anxiety can give those type of symptoms. In any case, the best advice I can give you is to have him see a doctor, sooner rather than later. Good Luck, and all the best. Geez, hospitals and doctors drive me crazy sometimes, they never take things seriously until it's too late. On the other hand, this should be a wake up call to your husband.. his body is telling him something is not right. I still say go back to the doctor, and ask them to look into Acid reflux Disease.. since the symptoms can mimic a heart condition. Other than that, a change in lifestyle is in order.trust me one can have a heart attack at any age. My close friend died of a heart attack at 25, leaving her 6 month old baby. So it can happen.. please make sure he takes this seriously.