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Left Chest Pain: 16 Causes And When To Seek Help

If you have chest pain on the left side, your first thought may be that you're having a heart attack. While chest pain can be a symptom of heart problems, that's not always the case.

Keep reading to learn more about the causes of pain in the left side of the chest, the accompanying symptoms, suggestions for actions you can take to address each, and other signs of life threatening conditions to watch out for.

Several conditions can cause pain in the left side of your chest. They range from benign to life threatening.

If you're ever in doubt about the cause of the pain in the left side of your chest, seek emergency medical services immediately.

Below are some common causes of left-sided chest pain.

Angina (chest pain): This is often a symptom of coronary heart disease, though other heart conditions may also cause it. The pain and discomfort typically include your left arm, left shoulder, left side of your neck, and left side of your jaw. You might also have discomfort in your back.

Heart attack: Some heart attacks start with mild chest pain that builds up slowly. They can also start quite abruptly, with intense pain on the left side or center of your chest.

Myocarditis:This can lead to cardiovascular disease due to inflammation in the heart. Doctors often cannot identify a cause, but when they can, the cause is typically a viral infection.

Cardiomyopathy: This is a disease of the heart muscle or enlarged heart. It's possible to have cardiomyopathy without symptoms, but it can also cause chest pain.

Pericarditis: This can cause a sharp pain on the left side or middle of your chest. You might also have pain in one or both shoulders. You may experience pericarditis due to infections, heart surgery, heart attack, injury, or medications.

Panic attack: This can come on abruptly and tends to peak within 10 minutes. Due to chest pain, chest tightness, and other symptoms, a panic attack can simulate a heart attack.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD): GERD can cause heartburn and acid reflux. Among the symptoms, it can cause a burning sensation in your upper abdomen and chest.

Hiatal hernia: This is when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the large muscle between your abdomen and chest (diaphragm). The symptoms can include chest pain.

Problems with your esophagus: This can include muscle spasms, esophagitis, or an esophageal rupture.

Muscle or chest wall injury: Chest pain can result from pulled, strained, or sprained muscles in your chest or between the ribs. If you believe you've broken a bone, see a doctor right away. It can take about 10 weeks to improve and even longer to fully heal. In the meantime, you'll have to avoid strenuous activity.

Collapsed lung (pneumothorax): This can be caused by disease or trauma to your chest, leading to sudden and sharp pain on either side of your chest.

Pneumonia: This can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens when you take a deep breath or cough. It's more likely if you've recently had a respiratory illness like bronchitis or influenza.

Lung cancer: Chest pain can be a symptom of lung cancer. That said, symptoms may not appear in early-stage lung cancer. Generally, the sooner you receive a diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome.

Pulmonary hypertension: This is high blood pressure in your lungs, which can cause chest pain, among other symptoms.

Pulmonary embolism (PE): This is a blood clot in your lungs, which can cause sudden, sharp chest pain. It's a medical emergency that calls for immediate treatment.

Aortic dissection: An aortic dissection occurs when the aorta's pressure or weakness causes it to split, leading to blood leaking into other parts of the body. This is life threatening and needs emergency medical attention.

Chest pain, or chest heaviness, in general, is a concern for a heart attack or other life threatening condition for which every minute matters.

Call 911 or your local emergency services if you or someone near you has unexplained left-sided or generalized chest pain along with the following:

Heart attack

According to the CDC, most heart attacks involve discomfort in the middle or left side of your chest that lasts for more than a couple of minutes. The discomfort may go away and then return again.

Other symptoms of heart attack can include:

tightening, squeezing, or crushing pressure in your chest

pain in your left arm, though it can also occur in your right arm

shooting pain in your neck, jaw, back, or stomach

shortness of breath

heartburn, nausea, or vomiting

lightheadedness, weakness, or dizziness

Both males and females can experience chest pain and other common symptoms, but females may also experience fatigue, nausea, and lightheadedness.

Pulmonary embolism

In addition to chest pain, other symptoms of PE may include:

back pain

lightheadedness

bluish tone to lips

excessive sweating

dizziness

coughing

shortness of breath

Aortic dissection

Other than chest pain, an aortic dissection may cause:

Ultimately, if not treated immediately, it can progress to hemorrhagic shock from heavy blood loss.

Should I go to the hospital for left chest pain?

Chest pain or discomfort is one of the primary symptoms of a heart attack. If you're experiencing any kind of chest pain, call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions.

If other people are around, ask them to stay with you until emergency medical services (EMS) workers arrive. Calling 911 is typically the best path to emergency care as EMS workers can revive people who may be experiencing heart attacks and transport them faster than a friend might to the hospital.

How do I know if my chest pain is serious?

Sudden chest pain is a serious symptom. Call 911 if you or someone near you is experiencing a feeling of pain, pressure, or tightening of the chest, especially if you're also experiencing other symptoms.

How do you know if your chest pain is muscular or heart-related?

Heart pain and muscular chest pain can be similar, but there are some key differences.

Heart pain may feel more like a sensation of tightness or pressure across the chest. Sometimes, a sharp pain may radiate down your neck, jaws, arms, and shoulders. You may also experience shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, nausea, and an irregular heartbeat. Heart pain does not change when you take a deep breath. A lot of times, heart pain worsens with activity or exertion.

Muscular chest pain that occurs as a result of a strain or overuse may feel sharp or achy. The muscle that has been strained may also be tender to the touch and feel worse with movement or coughing. Deep breathing may also cause shooting pain if the strained muscle is near your lungs.

What are three common causes of chest pain?

Three common causes of chest pain are angina, coronary artery disease (CAD), and heartburn.

How can I relieve left-side chest pain?

The treatment for left-sided chest pain depends on the cause. You can probably treat something minor, like heartburn, with over-the-counter medications in most cases. More serious causes will require medical treatment, sometimes even emergency treatment or surgery.

Several conditions share symptoms that include chest pain. If you have chest pain for no known reason, consult with a doctor so you can start working toward a diagnosis.

Sudden chest pain accompanied by symptoms such as trouble breathing, pressure on your chest, and dizziness could signal a life threatening emergency. Call 911 immediately.

What Causes Chest Pain On The Right Side?

Right sided chest pain can occur due to many different conditions and injuries. Below, we discuss 18 potential causes.

1. Anxiety or stress

Severe anxiety or stress can trigger an anxiety attack or a panic attack. A person who has previously had a panic attack may develop panic disorder, in which they fear another panic attack.

People who experience panic and anxiety may also have symptoms that resemble those of a heart attack, such as:

chest pain

difficulty breathing

a rapid heart rate or palpitations

sweating

Some individuals also experience anxiety, stress, and panic because of a health condition, such as heart disease.

A panic attack usually lasts 5–10 minutes.

Anyone who suspects they may have symptoms of a heart attack should seek immediate medical advice.

Read about the difference between a panic attack and an anxiety attack

2. Muscle strain

Many different muscles make up the chest wall. A person can strain or sprain these muscles during exercise. As a result, the chest will feel painful and tender to the touch.

This type of chest pain usually goes away with rest and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relief medication, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Research shows that 28% of visits to the emergency room for chest pain are due to musculoskeletal issues, such as muscle strain.

Learn what causes a pulled muscle in the chest.

3. Trauma

A traumatic injury, such as a fall, a blow to the chest, or a motor vehicle accident, can damage the structures that make up the chest and the heart, lungs, and other internal organs.

There may be bruising or swelling, and a person may have difficulty breathing.

It is best to seek emergency help following a chest injury. Damage to the internal organs may not be visible but can be life threatening.

4. Costochondritis and other inflammatory conditions

Costochondritis refers to inflammation of the cartilage that connects the ribs to the breastbone. It can lead to severe pain that may be worse when a person is:

lying down

breathing deeply

putting pressure on the chest

doing physical activity

Causes include:

intense coughing

a traumatic injury to the chest

physical strain from repeated exercise or lifting heavy items

respiratory tract infections

an infection in a chest wound

wear and tear

Costochondritis usually goes away on its own, but people may need extra rest, pain relievers, and hot or cold compresses to aid recovery.

Other inflammatory conditions that can lead to chest pain include:

5. Rib fracture

A rib fracture is a break in the bones that protect the internal organs in the chest.

It can be very painful and lead to serious complications. One broken rib will not usually lead to complications, but multiple fractures can be life threatening.

Rib fractures usually result from a fall or blow to the chest, but severe coughing can also cause a fracture. A break on the right side can cause pain, swelling, and tenderness in that area.

Read about flail chest.

6. Pneumothorax

Pneumothorax occurs when air escapes from the lung and gets into the space between the lung and the chest wall. It can lead to a collapsed lung.

This makes it difficult for the lung to expand when breathing and can cause sudden and significant pain or discomfort.

There are many possible causes, including:

Someone with this condition might also experience shortness of breath, a rapid heartbeat, and dizziness. Anyone with these symptoms needs urgent medical attention.

Learn about a punctured lung.

7. Pleurisy

Pleurisy is inflammation of the membranes that surround the lungs. This inflammation causes friction between these two layers of tissue.

Usually, there is a thin, fluid-filled space between the linings of the lungs and the chest cavity. When breathing in and out, the lungs glide smoothly over this tissue.

In pleurisy, the friction can lead to sharp and severe pain when breathing.

The condition can occur for various reasons, including:

a traumatic injury

pneumothorax

pulmonary embolism

conditions such as lupus, cancer, or pneumonia

Treatment and prognosis will depend on the cause. A person should seek immediate medical help if they have difficulty breathing or dizziness due to low oxygen levels.

8. Pleural effusions

In pleural effusion, fluid builds up between the layers of tissue outside the lungs. It can cause chest pain and shortness of breath.

Causes include:

conditions such as pneumonia and tuberculosis

chronic conditions, such as RA and lupus

hemothorax

exposure to asbestos

Breathing may get more difficult over time, so seeking help from a doctor is essential.

9. Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of the lungs by bacterial, viral, or fungal organisms.

Symptoms include:

a fever and chills

a cough

changes in mental status

rapid heart rate

Chest pain can occur when a person is breathing and coughing. Individuals with suspected pneumonia should seek prompt medical help. Some people will need to spend time in the hospital, as the condition can result in life threatening complications.

10. Pulmonary hypertension

Pulmonary hypertension is a condition that causes high blood pressure in the blood vessels that connect the heart and lungs. Over time, this makes the heart work harder to pump blood throughout the body.

Symptoms include:

Read about pulmonary arterial hypertension.

11. Pulmonary embolism

A pulmonary embolism is a blood clot that becomes lodged in the lungs. It can be life threatening if a person does not receive treatment quickly.

If it occurs in the right lung, it can cause right sided chest pain.

Additional symptoms include:

shortness of breath

rapid breathing

increased heart rate

coughing, with or without blood

The pain and other symptoms of a pulmonary embolism usually come on suddenly and require emergency medical attention.

12. Lung cancer

Chest pain can occur with lung cancer and cancer that has spread to the lungs from another part of the body.

Around 20–40% of individuals with lung cancer experience chest pain.

Other symptoms include:

a cough

shortness of breath

spitting up blood

dyspnea, or difficulty breathing

fatigue

weakness

unexpected weight loss

Read about the link between lung cancer and cough.

13. Chest tumors

Whether they are cancerous or not, growths within the chest or chest wall can also cause chest pain.

Depending on the type of tumor, other symptoms include:

a lump

swelling

the chest appearing or feeling asymmetrical

As the tumor grows, it will put pressure on nearby nerves or blood vessels, causing pain or discomfort.

14. Heart disease

While most people associate left sided chest pain with a heart attack or other heart ailments, right sided pain is also possible, especially if heart disease affects the right side of the heart.

Pain due to a heart condition can also affect the right shoulder or jaw.

15. Shingles

If a person has had chickenpox in the past, they may develop shingles later. This is because the same virus causes both conditions, and it can reactivate.

Shingles involves inflammation in a section of nerves and the surrounding area. This can lead to sensations of:

numbness

tingling

burning

If shingles affects nerves in the chest, it can cause chest pain. Shingles tends to affect only one side of the body.

Early symptoms include a fever with pain and sensitivity in one area. It will later develop into a painful, itchy rash.

Learn about how people contract shingles.

16. Heartburn or acid reflux

Heartburn, also known as acid reflux, is when stomach acid passes back from the stomach up into the food pipe or esophagus.

The food pipe is located in the chest and can cause general chest pain, including on the right side.

Other symptoms include:

an unpleasant taste in the mouth

bloating and nausea

a cough

Acid reflux is common, affecting around 20% of people in the United States. If it happens often, however, a person should seek medical advice. A doctor can prescribe medication to help manage it.

17. Liver, gallbladder, and pancreatic issues

These structures are important for digestion and other essential functions. They are in the top of the right side of the abdomen.

Gallstones, pancreatitis, and liver disease are just a few conditions that can lead to pain in the right side of the chest.

18. COVID-19

COVID-19 can cause a variety of symptoms, including:

a fever

a cough

shortness of breath

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that if an individual with COVID-19 experiences persistent pain or pressure in their chest, they should seek medical advice at once.

Read about knowing when chest pain is due to COVID-19.

Woman Told 'nothing Can Be Done' As 'excruciating' Back Pain Leads To Deadly Diagnosis

Becca Smith, 31, from Chester, went to see doctors after she started suffering with pain in her back in 2020 - but was told there was nothing doctors could do after a number of tests

Becca Smith, 31, from Chester, was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer in 2020 (

Image: Becca Smith)

A woman went to her doctor with "excruciating" back pain before being told "nothing could be done" and she even said goodbye to friends and family - but then got a second chance at life.

Becca Smith, a personal trainer from Chester, was left in shock after she initially thought she had a slipped disc, but was diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer after several tests. The 31-year-old said: "I live an active, healthy lifestyle - I've never smoked. So I assumed I'd injured myself training and thought I perhaps had a slipped disc."

"My world collapsed when I was told it was cancer and it had spread around my body, including to my brain. The doctors said nothing could be done." As her health worsened, Becca was sent home from the hospital to spend what her family believed would be her last few weeks.

She said: "I have a group of really good friends, along with my sisters, Mum, Dad and close family. Everyone spent time around my bedside, saying goodbye. I have vague memories of people singing to me and telling me stories, wearing masks and not getting too close because it was during COVID. My sister researched some amazing nutritionist for me and spent hours making me juices. But then my mum received a phone call from the hospital with the results of the biopsy which would change everything."

The biopsy results revealed that Becca had tested positive for anaplastic lymphoma kinase or ALK. This type of lung cancer is caused by a gene mutation in cancer cells and is often found in non-smokers or light smokers, usually affecting younger and fitter individuals. Joanne Wilson, a Lung Cancer Clinical Nurse Specialist at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre, explained: "There are lots of different gene mutations, one of which is ALK. With some gene mutations, we have special medication which can interrupt the growth of the cancer."

Becca Smith said goodbye to family (

Image:

Becca Smith) She is looking now forward to Christmas (

Image:

Becca Smith)

"These medications block the process that causes the cancer to grow, with the tablets focusing on only the mutation and not healthy cells. These are called targeted therapies. Some people with ALK lung cancer respond very well to targeted therapy, as Becca has. Though not a cure for lung cancer, treatment can often stop people's cancer from growing, and even shrink it."

"Targeted therapies are often a much more effective treatment that standard chemotherapy and patients are at less risk of developing an infection or experiencing side effects."

Three years after her initial diagnosis, Becca is now managing her cancer with daily medication. However, she recently received a setback when scans showed slight progression in the cancer in her brain.

She expressed: "Having had stable scans for so long, receiving news that that there had been changes was like being diagnosed all over again. I changed medication and since then, I've been working with the team at The Clatterbridge Cancer Centre to manage the side effects of my treatment, as well as talking to their psychologist, who's been supporting me since my first diagnosis and I'm in constant touch with their team, who have been a great support to me."

"I've also been given the chance to speak to other patients in my situation, something I've enjoyed and I hope I've been able to help them. I now try and think of my cancer as a long term health condition. With the support of my family and friends, I'm able to manage.I love meeting my friends for coffee and going walking every morning to clear my head. I do yoga, Pilates, eat well and I'm working again, setting up my own gym."

"Christmas this year will be full of laughter, friends and family, as well as my Labradoodle, Ralph. I've got lots to look forward to."

Becca added: "To anyone going through something similar or who has just had a cancer diagnosis, I would say, there is light ahead. I was in a deep, black hole when I was first diagnosed, but thanks to the support of my friends and family, I found a ladder and slowly, I've climbed out. There will be hard days, but climb that ladder and hopefully you'll learn to live with your new normal."

* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can report any errors to webhomepage@mirror.Co.Uk

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