He clutched (at) his chest.

[99bottles]

He stopped to catch his breath. He clutched (at) his chest.

Is there any difference between 'clutch' and 'clutch at'? Online dictionaries don't seem to give an answer.

Bonus question: I'm considering replacing the word 'chest' with the word 'heart' to sound more poetic. Is this wrong?

 

[Skrej]

I suppose there's a possible small difference between the two - 'at' perhaps suggests more of a struggle to complete the action. 'Heart' would however be a perfectly natural alternative.

Without more context explaining otherwise, most people would assume grabbing your chest is really a reference to a heart problem anyway.

 

[Tdol]

I'd clutch a bullet wound and clutch at a heart attack. Others may differ.