Left Side Chest Pain

Some people might experience pain, burning, or crushing on the left side of their chest. It can be a cause of worry because it is often associated with a heart attack; however, it is not always the case. There can be various reasons for chest pain on the left side; some may be quite harmless, like digestive issues, but conditions like an impending heart attack can be life-threatening. 

Therefore, it is important to take note of the type of pain caused on the left side of the chest and, if any accompanying symptoms are there, seeking medical attention is necessary.

What is left-side chest pain?

As the name suggests, left side chest pain is a pressure-like feeling or pain on the left side of the chest. It can sometimes travel to the neck, into the jaw, the back, and even one or both arms. Left side chest pain may occur in many forms, ranging from a sharp stabbing pain to a dull ache. There can be a range of causes, and they can be of varying intensity, duration, and region of impact. Sometimes, it may be a result of an underlying problem associated with the lungs, heart, muscles, bones, or even the digestive system. Let’s understand its causes in detail.

Causes of Left Side Chest Pain

The causes of chest pain on the left side can be various, but most commonly due to issues arising in the heart, lungs, blood vessels, digestive system, or other areas. 

1. Heart & Vascular Problems: Sudden pain in the left side of the chest is often associated with problems with the heart. However, people with heart diseases often claim to have light chest pain on the left side, which they don't really call chest pain. However, chest pain due to a heart attack may have the following symptoms:

• Pressure, tightness, fullness, or burning of the chest
• Crushing or searing pain which radiates to the back, jaw, shoulders, and arms
• Shortness of breath
• Racing heartbeats
• Dizziness, weakness, lightheadedness
• Pain lasting more than a few minutes
• Cold sweats
• Nausea or vomiting

Other heart conditions that may cause left side chest pain may include:

• Coronary artery disease
• Coronary artery dissection
• Pericarditis
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Aortic aneurysm
• Aortic dissection
• Mitral valve prolapse

2. Digestive Issues: Conditions associated with the digestive system may also cause left side chest pain, like gastritis, pancreatitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and esophageal spasm. 

3. Lung Issues: Conditions of the lungs, particularly the left lung, may also cause left side chest pain. Some of these conditions need fast treatment to be cured, especially if the person experiences breathing difficulties or stops breathing. Some of the conditions associated with the lungs that may cause left side chest pain may include the following.

• Pneumonia 
• Pulmonary embolism
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Pleuritis
• Pneumothorax
• Pulmonary hypertension
• Asthma 

4. Musculoskeletal Problems: Broken bones of the ribs may be the most prominent cause of left side chest pain. Soreness or sprain in the chest muscle may also cause left side chest pain along with symptoms of swelling and bruising. Costochondritis is when the cartilage that connects the rib to the breastbone gets inflamed. 

5. Other Causes: Other conditions that may cause left side chest pain may include the following:

• Shingles: A chickenpox virus that may cause a painful rash to develop on the body, particularly the chest. It may likely occur in one part of the chest.
• Lung cancer: Lung cancer is another reason that may cause left side chest pain, especially when coughing, laughing, or even when taking a deep breath. 

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of left side chest pain may depend on the underlying cause of the problem. When visiting the doctor with left side chest pain, they may ask for the medical history along with the history of the symptoms – the severity and duration for which the symptoms have appeared and any accompanying symptoms. The doctor might also perform a physical examination of the heart, chest, neck, and abdomen.

The doctor may also order a variety of tests, which may include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• X-ray
• Electrocardiogram (ECG)
• Ultrasound
• Computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA)

Treatment of Left Side Chest Pain

Treatment for left side chest pain may depend upon the underlying cause based on the diagnosis.

Medications 

• Acid-reducing medicines: If left-side chest pain is caused by problems in the digestive system, treatment may include medications for relieving pain.
• Clot-busting drugs: Clot-busting medicines, also known as thrombolytics, may be needed to dissolve clots and prevent them from reaching the heart muscle in case of a heart attack.
• Artery relaxing medicines: Such medicines help relax heart arteries to help blood flow more easily through narrowed arteries.
• Blood-thinning medications: Blood thinners may also be given to prevent a clot from reaching the heart and prevent more clots from forming.
• Antidepressants: If anxiety and panic attacks are causing trouble breathing and left side chest pain, doctors may prescribe antidepressant medications to manage anxiety and panic attacks.

Surgical Procedures:

If left side chest pain is caused by severe health problems associated with the heart or lungs, surgery may be required for effective treatment.

• Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
• Angioplasty and Stent Placement
• Aortic Dissection Surgery
• Lung Reinflation

When to seek emergency help?

Pain in the left side of the chest is associated with vital organs like the lungs and heart. If the pain is new or unexplained and causes formidable difficulties like uneasiness, sweating, and heaviness on the chest, along with pain in the arms that radiates to the shoulders, it is important to seek emergency medical help. 

Conclusion

Left side chest pain may occur for a number of reasons, some may be temporary and harmless, and some may require medical intervention to be treated. If the pain doesn't worsen or spread to other parts, it may not be a cause for worry. However, the signs of heart attack and other heart ailments should not be ignored.

FAQs 

1. Can gas be the reason for chest pain on the left side?

Ans. Chest pain manifesting on the left side may be a result of gas, which may cause bloating and fullness or tightness in the chest. This pain may even radiate to the abdomen.

2. How do I know if my left chest pain is serious?

Ans. If the left side chest pain feels crushing, occurs suddenly, and radiates into the left arm and the jaws, it may be a sign of a heart attack and require medical attention. Other signs like shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness also occur alongside pain, and they should also be treated seriously.

3. What are the three common causes of chest pain?

Ans. Chest pain on the left side may be caused by several reasons. The three leading causes of chest pain may include heart problems, lung issues, and problems with the gastrointestinal system.

4. Can left chest pain be normal?

Ans. When a person experiences left side chest pain due to digestive system issues, it may be due to problems with gas that may put pressure on the diaphragm, pushing against the chest. Such left-side chest pain is normal and can be treated with anti-acidic medications.