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31-July-2024 Team Medicover pulmonology

Left Side Chest Pain Causes

Experiencing pain on the left side of your chest can be really concerning, especially since it’s often linked to heart problems. But it’s important to know that not all chest pain means you're having a heart attack. There are other possible causes related to your lungs, muscles, ribs, digestive system or even stress and anxiety.

The intensity and nature of the pain like sharp, dull, constant or intermittent, can offer clues about its cause. In this article, we will explore possible causes of left-sided chest pain to help you determine whether it's something minor or a medical emergency.

What is Left Side Chest Pain?

Left side chest pain refers to any discomfort, pressure or aching sensation that occurs on the left side of the chest. It can vary in intensity, from mild and nagging to sharp and severe and may be brief or persistent. It is usually linked with heart-related problems like angina or a heart attack, but it can also be caused by issues in the lungs, digestive tract, muscles or even stress and anxiety.

Difference Between Cardiac and Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

Here's how to differentiate between cardiac and non-cardiac chest pain based on key features:

Cardiac Chest Pain:

Origin: Heart or coronary arteries
Characters: Pressure, tightness, heaviness, squeezing or burning
Location: Centre or left side of the chest; may radiate to the left arm, jaw, neck or back.
Causes: Physical exertion, emotional stress, cold weather or after eating.
Duration: Lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
Associated Symptoms: Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or fatigue.
Relief: Often relieved by rest or nitroglycerin, for those with known heart issues.

Non-Cardiac Chest Pain:

Origin: Muscles, bones, lungs, digestive system or anxiety.
Characters: Sharp, stabbing, aching or burning pain.
Location: Often localised and varies in intensity.
Causes: Movement, deep breathing, coughing, certain foods or anxiety.
Duration: Can be brief or persist for hours/days depending on the cause.
Associated symptoms include acid reflux, difficulty swallowing, muscle soreness and anxiety.
Relief: May improve with antacids, rest or anti-inflammatory medication

If chest pain is sudden, intense or accompanied by other concerning symptoms, it’s best to seek immediate medical care to rule out a heart attack or other serious condition.

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What Causes Pain On The Left Side Of The Chest?

1. Angina

Angina is not a disease in itself. Rather, it is a symptom of heart issues like coronary heart disease. It is a form of chest pain, discomfort or pressure that occurs when your heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen from the blood. You may also experience pain in your arms, shoulders, neck, back or jaw.

2. Gastrointestinal pain

Left-sided chest pain is frequently caused by acid reflux and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). These conditions occur when stomach acid rises into the esophagus. As a result, a burning sensation can occur across the chest on either side. Other signs and symptoms may include:

a burning feeling in the chest
difficulty swallowing
a sour taste in the mouth

3. Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when the heart muscle is damaged due to a lack of oxygen-rich blood. Some heart attacks begin with mild chest pain that gradually worsens. Signs of a heart attack include:

tightening pressure in the chest
Left-arm pain, though it can also occur in the right arm
You have shooting pain in your neck, jaw, back or stomach.
shortness of breath
cold sweat
heartburn
nausea or vomiting
abdominal pain
lightheadedness

4. Esophageal rupture

A non-cardiac chest pain caused by an esophageal tear or rupture is a medical emergency. When the tube that connects the mouth to the stomach tears, this condition occurs. This allows food or fluids from the mouth to enter the chest and circulate the lungs.

5. Other gastrointestinal issues

Various stomach and intestine problems can cause pain that begins or spreads to the chest. An ulcer, which is a sore in the intestine, can cause pain to radiate to the chest.

Gallbladder disease like heart attack symptoms can cause severe muscle spasms or painful pressure in the chest that extends to the upper back and breastbone.

Pancreatitis, which originates in the gastrointestinal tract, causes pain in the middle of the body, beneath the ribs. However, it can also feel like a constant, piercing pain in the chest. Besides chest pain, you may experience:

stomach pain
bloating
nausea
heartburn
gas
loss of appetite
indigestion

6. Lung issues

Lung problems can cause chest pain that gets worse every time you take a breath. Pneumonia is a bacterial, viral or fungal infection of one or both lungs. Pain, cough and fever follow, as does sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens with deep breathing or coughing, especially if the left lung is infected.

7. Musculoskeletal injuries

There are numerous types of soft tissue or bone injuries in the chest that can cause left-sided chest pain. A broken rib or costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage surrounding a rib, are two examples.

Some symptoms of a musculoskeletal injury include:

Hearing or feeling a rib-related cracking sensation
Pain that usually gets worse when you breathe
Swelling or tenderness in a particular area
Bruising that is visible

8. Panic attack

Panic attacks strike suddenly and usually peak within 10 minutes. A panic attack can mimic a heart attack due to chest pain and other symptoms. Other symptoms include:

shortness of breath
rapid heartbeat
dizziness
sweating or chills
nausea
feeling as though you might choke
intense fear

Diagnosis for Left Side Chest Pain

Here are some medical tests that doctors use to check your health:

An ECG to measure your heart's electrical activity.
An X-ray to take pictures of the inside of your body, especially your bones.
A complete blood count (CBC) to analyze your blood and see how well it is working.
A computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA) to look at the blood vessels in your lungs.
An ultrasound to create images of the organs inside your body, often used during pregnancy or to view other areas.

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Treatment for Left Side Side Chest Pain

The way to treat left side chest pain depends on what's causing it.

Muscle or Bone Problems: Resting, applying ice packs, taking pain relievers and attending physical therapy can help.
Heart Conditions: Doctors may prescribe medications like nitroglycerin for chest pain, recommend lifestyle changes such as a healthier diet and regular exercise and in some cases, suggest surgery.
Lung Problems: If the pain is related to your lungs, treatments might include antibiotics for infections, medications to help with symptoms and sometimes procedures to remove excess fluid or air.
Digestive Issues: For issues related to digestion, doctors often recommend antacids, medicines to reduce stomach acid, changes in diet and in serious cases, surgery might be needed.

Conclusion

Left side chest pain is a symptom that requires medical diagnosis to determine its cause and effective treatment. If you experience persistent or severe chest pain, consult a doctor to ensure timely treatment and quick relief.

Frequently Asked Questions

Seek medical help if the pain is severe, lasts more than a few minutes, spreads to your arms, neck or jaw or is accompanied by sweating, shortness of breath or nausea, especially if you have a history of heart disease.

Yes, trapped gas in the digestive system can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain on the left side, often accompanied by bloating, belching or abdominal discomfort.

Pain under the left breast can result from muscle strain, gastrointestinal issues, rib injuries or conditions like costochondritis. Medical evaluation is necessary to determine the specific cause.

Non-cardiac chest pain may worsen with movement or breathing, is relieved by rest or positional changes or feels reproducible when pressure is applied to the chest.

Yes, anxiety and panic attacks can cause sharp chest pain accompanied by rapid heartbeat, sweating, difficulty breathing, and a sense of impending doom.

Heart-related pain typically feels like pressure, squeezing or tightness that spreads to the arms, back, neck or jaw. Non-cardiac pain may be sharp, stabbing or burning, often related to movement or chest pressure.