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By Medicover Hospitals / 07 March 2022 Home | Articles | Left side chest pain: How serious it can be?
By Dr Lalith Agarwal
Consultant Interventional Cardiologist
Published on 19/06/2022
- Tightness in the chest
- Arm, neck, jaw, back, or abdomen shooting pain
- Breathing problems
- Dizziness, lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Vomiting or nausea
Causes of left side chest pain
Causes of Pain on the Left Side of the Chest Related to the Heart
Lung Conditions That Can Cause Left SideChest Pain
- Pulmonary conditions can also be a significant cause of Left Side Chest Pain
- Asthma, a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), can cause chest pain as well as wheezing, coughing, and difficulty breathing.
- Deep aching chest pain, fever, chills, and expectoration can all be symptoms of chest infections, lung abscesses, and pneumonia.
- Pleurisy is an inflammation of the pleura (the lining of the lungs) that can cause sharp chest pain when coughing or breathing.
- A pulmonary embolism, or a blood clot lodged in the lungs, can cause chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- Chest pain can be caused by pulmonary hypertension or high blood pressure in the lung artery.
- Myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, can cause left-sided chest pain and difficulty breathing.
- Coronary artery dissection, which occurs when the artery leading to the heart ruptures, can cause severe chest pain that extends to the back, neck, and abdomen.
Other Factors Contributing to Left-Sided Chest Pain
- Gastrointestinal conditions such as bloated abdomen and indigestion, which cause excessive gas accumulation; gallbladder diseases, inflammation of the inner mucosa, gastric and peptic ulcers, and pancreas disorders can all cause left-sided chest pain. In these cases, left-sided chest pain may occur after eating or while lying down.
- Left-sided chest pain can be caused by bone and muscle injuries left-sided muscular spasms or rib fractures on the left side. It can cause chest pain during movement, exercise, or activity and can be relieved by rest.
- Nerve injuries, muscle strain, and nerve compression can all cause left-sided chest pain.
- Shingle is a viral infection that affects the nerve course on the left side and causes chest pain.
- Stress is another common factor of left side chest pain. Increased stress can cause a sensation of chest tightness. Panic attacks, like chest pain, are caused by heart problems and require proper evaluation.
Understand When Left Side Chest Pain May Indicate a Heart Attack
- Tightness in the chest
- Pain in the chest that radiates to the left arm, neck, or jaw
- Breathing difficulties, shortness of breath, and sweating
- A sensation of uneasiness, nausea, or dizziness.
Diagnosis
- An electrocardiogram
- A radiograph
- A full blood count (CBC)
- A pulmonary angiography using computed tomography (CTPA)
- An ultrasonic
Treatment
Citations
What causes chest pain on left side above breast?
Pericarditis pain usually occurs behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest. The pain may: Spread to the left shoulder and neck. Get worse when coughing, lying down or taking a deep breath.
When should I worry about left side chest pain?
Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain: A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone. Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back. Sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.
Why do I feel pain in my left chest area?
Pain on the left side of the chest can be a sign of a heart problem, and therefore some people often think they are having a heart attack when it occurs. However, this type of pain can also indicate less serious problems, like excess intestinal gas, reflux or an anxiety attack.
How do you know if left chest pain is heart related?
Heart-related chest pain
Pressure, fullness, burning or tightness in your chest. Crushing or searing pain that spreads to your back, neck, jaw, shoulders, and one or both arms. Pain that lasts more than a few minutes, gets worse with activity, goes away and comes back, or varies in intensity. Shortness of breath.