What is above the chest? Help with chest pain (on the left side)

Antipyretics for children are prescribed by a pediatrician. But there are emergency situations with fever when the child needs to be given medicine immediately. Then the parents take responsibility and use antipyretic drugs. What is allowed to be given to infants? How can you lower the temperature in older children? What medications are the safest?

Any chest pain should be a reason to visit a doctor. It comes in different types and intensities. Tingling sensations are distinguished by their impulsiveness.

When it stings on the right side of the chest with localization in various areas, this may indicate the development of serious diseases. There are many reasons for tingling and it is worth understanding them in more detail.

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What is it like when there is a stabbing sensation in the chest?

When there is a stabbing sensation in the chest, this is a signal indicating the presence of health problems. Both a pinched nerve and a myocardial infarction can cause tingling. When this kind of discomfort occurs in the chest area, it is worth assessing how serious it is.

On right

When it stings on the right side of the chest, it may not be so easy to immediately make a diagnosis. Additional symptoms often appear, such as increased blood pressure, and attacks of suffocation occur. Sometimes there is numbness.

One of the most common causes of tingling on the right side is diseases of the spine. Stitching in the right side of the chest when intercostal neuralgia, osteochondrosis or costovertebral osteophyte is observed.

Many people wonder when there is a stabbing sensation on the right side of the chest, what is it? This area of the body contains some important organs. Therefore, it is important to recognize the disease in time. Common reasons for stabbing on the right side of the chest include:

Injury due to vigorous physical activity. If the body is not prepared for heavy loads, a significant increase in their volume will lead to stretching of the chest muscles. As a result, discomfort and pain are felt in this area.
Pain in the chest on the right, stabbing, occurs due to fractured ribs. The nature of the tingling is sharp. If you start to cough or put pressure on the area, the pain gets worse.
Bruises often cause stabbing pain on the right side. The presence of a bruise helps to recognize this cause.
Pathologies of the respiratory system. Pneumonia can cause similar discomfort, adding to the general condition with fever and cough. may cause tingling on the right side.
Constantly or periodically stabbing on the right side of the chest due to diseases of the digestive tract. Heartburn, food stagnation, chronic cholecystitis cause tingling on the right side.

Some of the listed reasons can be eliminated independently, for example, by changing the training program, normalizing the amount of physical activity.

On the left side

If there is a stabbing sensation on the left side of the chest, it is recommended to visit a therapist. Ischemic disease can provoke such ailment in the form of stabbing pain. The heart muscle needs oxygen, and with a lack of it, pain receptors begin to be irritated.

Sometimes the pain radiates to the left shoulder blade. It is a symptom indicating that cardiac pathology has begun to develop.

Many people, when a tingling sensation occurs in the left side of the chest, begin to worry more than with similar sensations on the right. All because of the cardiac projection located in this area. Left-sided tingling is often radiating heart pain.

Among the reasons why there is a stabbing sensation in the left chest, it is worth noting:

attacks of angina pectoris, manifested precisely by left-sided pain;
pericarditis;
myocarditis;
rheumatic carditis;
tumor or tuberculous lesion of the left bronchus.

An accurate diagnosis can be found by undergoing an examination.

In the middle

Stitching between the chest in the middle is often due to pathologies associated with the heart. The most common diseases causing this symptom are:

angina pectoris;
myocardial infarction;
aortic aneurysm.

Angina pectoris is one of the first signals indicating problems with coronary circulation. The pain manifests itself not only in the middle, but can radiate to the shoulder, left arm, and under the shoulder blade. The attack appears suddenly, causing the patient to literally freeze in place. The pain varies in intensity, from severe to barely noticeable, more like discomfort. In addition to tingling, a burning sensation and a feeling as if there is pressure on the chest may occur.

Stitching in the middle of the chest is often due to myocardial infarction. An attack of pain can be single and prolonged or occur several times, each time increasing in intensity. One of the differences between myocardial infarction and angina is the nature of pain. They last longer and are more intense. Among the accompanying symptoms it is worth noting:

the appearance of shortness of breath or an attack of suffocation;
nausea and vomiting;
increased sweating;
headache;
increased heart rate.

Weakness, fever and dizziness appear much less frequently. Pain during myocardial infarction is characterized by a constant increase. It is difficult for the patient to tolerate it. If there is a slow-flowing myocardial rupture, “dagger pain” may occur.

The formation of an aortic aneurysm interferes with the normal flow of blood. With this disease, pain occurs that can radiate to the back and neck. The pain is severe and lasts from several hours to a couple of days. The following symptoms may also occur:

The appearance of shortness of breath. May be accompanied by noisy wheezing. Inhalation is difficult.
Difficulty swallowing.
Pressing pain in the stomach area. May be accompanied by heartburn and vomiting.

When inhaling

Stitches in the chest when inhaling, if the standard volume of physical activity is exceeded, when walking. Pain of this nature can be provoked by a variety of factors.

When taking a deep breath, tingling sensations can radiate to any area of the chest, including the right area, left and in the middle.

Such pain is usually accompanied by several other symptoms:

difficulty breathing occurs;
the temperature rises;
shortness of breath and a feeling of weakness appear;
cough.

Among the most likely reasons why the chest stings upon entry, it is worth noting:

Pathologies of the cardiovascular system. Then it stings on the left side of the chest when inhaling. With such indicators, a common diagnosis is angina pectoris, which appears against the background of coronary artery disease. The impetus for the onset of the disease is excessive physical activity, overexertion and stress.
Pathology associated with the respiratory system. Taking a strong breath, the patient, in addition to tingling, may feel weak, shortness of breath will appear, and severe coughing attacks will begin. There will be a feeling of lack of air. Pain of a stabbing nature with localization in the middle can indicate any bronchopulmonary problem.

Why is there a stabbing pain under the chest?

Pain appears in the area under the breast due to diseases of the lungs, heart, intestines, and musculoskeletal system. Therefore, it is important to find out the cause of tingling and start treatment on time.

On the right side

When it stings on the right side under the chest, various factors could provoke it. It is worth noting the most common diseases:

diseases of the spine;
respiratory diseases;
diseases of the liver and biliary system;
intercostal neuralgia;
injury to the chest area.

The listed reasons can cause pain on the right under the breast. The final diagnosis will be made by the doctor after examination.

Left side

When it stings in the left side under the chest, you need to quickly find out the cause. The most common include diseases of the heart, spleen, stomach or lungs. Severe pain sometimes indicates cancer. Therefore, you need to quickly consult a doctor. The left side may hurt for the following reasons:

Diseases of the respiratory tract and lungs. Maybe also left-sided pleurisy.
Diseases of the spleen or pancreas. The appearance and enlargement of a cyst, injury to the spleen, blockage of large vessels.
In older people, it often stings under the chest on the left due to osteochondrosis, neuralgia or colitis.

Colitis may cause stabbing pain in the chest area. However, other symptoms will also be present, such as severe abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, and weakness.

Heart pain is different in that it does not decrease after taking painkillers, it occurs suddenly, and its intensity constantly increases. Also, when changing the position of the body, the strength of the pain does not change. In other cases, particularly with osteochondrosis, the pain may subside and after a while appear in another area; painkillers help improve the condition, while heart medications do not work. Often the intensity of pain changes when changing body position.

Useful video

For more information about the causes of chest pain, watch the following video:

Conclusion

There are many reasons why there is stabbing in the chest. Stitching pain that occurs on the right or left side may indicate osteochondrosis or problems with the respiratory system.
Discomfort in the central part of the chest is often associated with heart pathologies, such as myocardial infarction.
Diseases of the hepatobiliary system can manifest as pain appearing on the right side.
If it stings in the left side, you can assume colitis, diseases of the spleen or cardiac irradiation.

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Often a person experiences pain in the left sternum. The reasons for this are not immediately clear. The sensations can sometimes be accompanied by other unpleasant symptoms - parts of the body go numb, the temperature rises, etc.

These symptoms usually let you know that a problem has arisen in the human body that needs to be eliminated as soon as possible. Moreover, it can be caused by various reasons - cardiac and vascular, gastric and pulmonary diseases. Experts do not rule out neurological and mental causes that cause chest pain on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade.

- a frequently diagnosed disease. It occurs due to insufficient oxygen supply to the myocardium, which, in turn, is caused by impaired blood flow through the coronary arteries.

In addition to shortness of breath, cardiac arrhythmia, dizziness, patients also feel it on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm. Pain appears during or after physical activity (walking, running, other physical exercises). In older people, it can occur while doing household chores that do not require significant stress.

This situation can be extremely dangerous, so you need to urgently seek qualified help. The doctor will detail the syndrome, clarify the time of its occurrence and the connection with any additional factors. Additional studies will be prescribed, including electrocardiography (ECG), which will confirm or refute the preliminary diagnosis.

Acute myocardial infarction

In acute infarction (necrosis of the heart muscle), the pain is localized behind the sternum in the center or slightly to the left. Often it runs along the entire left arm, strongly extends under the left shoulder blade and goes into the arm.

In the stage of a threatening heart attack, sensations increase with movements. They are accompanied by severe shortness of breath and fever.

The pain behind the sternum on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, is characterized as extensive, and occurs and stops in waves. Typically, traditional heart medications (nitroglycerin) do not relieve pain. Medical assistance must come in a timely manner, otherwise the most severe consequences, including death, may occur. The result of treatment depends on the degree of damage to the heart muscle and the speed of medical care.

This disease has several varieties. There are primary cardiomyopathy without an established cause and secondary cardiomyopathy with a known cause. All of them are united by common characteristics - functional as well as structural changes in the heart muscle.

Some forms may be asymptomatic, especially those that are non-obstructive types. In acute cases, pain in the sternum on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, can be felt strongly and cannot be relieved with cardiac medications.

Heart and valve defects

Heart disease is characterized by a defect or damage to its valve. The valves (there are four in total) are responsible for filling the arteries and vessels with blood and for its timely pumping. Healthy valves ensure the heart functions smoothly. If defects occur, the valves become narrow and do not allow blood to move through the arteries. Blood stagnates in the adjacent chamber of the heart. Due to all these changes, the heart muscle thickens and loses its functionality.

Usually there is a burning sensation in the left sternum or tingling. Their causes may be just such structural changes in the heart. These sensations may be accompanied by pain along with:

severe shortness of breath;
“unhealthy blush”;
cyanosis of fingertips and areas of the face.

Modern medicine allows you to quickly diagnose this problem and take the necessary measures in a timely manner. It is important for the patient, if he feels pain in the chest on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, to immediately contact a medical facility.

Pericarditis

The pericardium is the outer layer of the heart, consisting of an internal (serous) and external (fibrous) part. On the inner part there are visceral and parietal layers. When the leaves become inflamed, the physiological functionality of the heart muscle is reduced and pericarditis occurs.

It often appears as a complication of other diseases. One of the symptoms may be pain in the sternum on the left, which radiates to the shoulder blade and arm.

However, the appearance of pain behind the sternum on the left depends on the form of pericarditis, the severity, and the rate of fluid accumulation in the pericardium. Dry pericarditis gives especially severe pain: dull, strongly radiating under the shoulder blade and into the arm. They can increase and temporarily subside when taking analgesics. Unpleasant sensations intensify if a person lies on his back, coughs, or even just swallows.

Myocarditis

This disease causes inflammation of the heart muscle. Myocarditis can be caused by various types of infections, autoimmune problems, and allergies. The symptoms of the disease are difficult to distinguish; in some cases it is practically asymptomatic. This condition is especially observed during the first week.

However, pain in the left shoulder blade and nagging pain in the arm can signal the presence of problems in the body, and can vary in intensity and duration. Patients do not usually associate it with any physical activity. In addition, they feel shortness of breath, fatigue, and sweat a lot.

Examination for chest pain

Extracardiac causes of pain behind the sternum on the left, radiating to the scapula

Vascular diseases

Aneurysm is an insidious disease that can remain silent for a long time. The walls of the blood vessel are greatly weakened, and as a result, they may rupture.

A distinction is made between congenital and acquired aneurysms as a result of other diseases. The disease manifests itself as pain, especially aneurysm of the abdominal and thoracic aorta. In these cases, a nagging pain is felt in the left chest, which either increases or decreases.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a blockage of the pulmonary artery by a blood clot. This process occurs due to venous stagnation and increased blood clotting, the symptoms are severe. In addition to acute pain in the sternum on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, which intensifies with each breath, the disease is accompanied by:

increased temperature;
severe cough with blood;
loss of consciousness.

Aneurysm and pulmonary embolism are life-threatening diseases; failure to provide urgent medical care will lead to death.

Hypertension

Hypertension is often accompanied by nagging pain in the left chest. Typically, it occurs when blood pressure rises. This, in turn, is due to the fact that the walls of the aorta are extremely tense and the mechanoreceptors stimulate the myocardium of the left ventricle.

This condition can be long-lasting; the patient “feels a stone” in the heart area.

Bronchopulmonary diseases

Diseases of the bronchi and lungs often produce symptoms similar in nature to cardiovascular problems. Therefore, additional research is needed if these symptoms are experienced.

Pleurisy is caused by inflammation of the parts of the same name (pleural) in the lungs. The disease is accompanied by a burning pain on the left side of the sternum, radiating to the scapula. It intensifies:

during simple movements;
when coughing;
in a lying position;
it doesn't take a long time.

In acute pneumonia, the respiratory parts of the lungs are affected. The patient coughs heavily, breathing quickens, sputum is produced, and the temperature rises. Severe pain occurs in the sternum, since the affected pleural membranes have many nerve endings.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) includes bronchitis and emphysema. Pain on the left side of the chest, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, occurs in severe forms. It may be accompanied by a strong cough and severe redness of the face.

Diseases of the stomach and esophagus

Since diseases of the gastrointestinal tract inflame the mucous membrane, severe chest pain on the left, sometimes stabbing, is a characteristic symptom of these diseases. With an ulcer, it is felt not only in the abdomen, but can also radiate to the left side of the chest and back.

Esophageal hernia is a displacement of the digestive tube into the thoracic part. Unpleasant sensations are felt in the heart area after a normal meal, and the more a person eats, the stronger the pain is felt. Sometimes this condition is confused with angina pectoris.

Esophagitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the esophagus, into which the contents of the stomach are suddenly thrown.

Neurological disorders

Intercostal neuralgia occurs due to compression of the nerve endings located in this area. Its main manifestation is pain localized in the heart area and radiating to the left side of the back. This pain is associated with:

with a rotation of the body;
with shoulder and arm movements;
with staying in an uncomfortable position.

Osteochondrosis (deformation of articular cartilage) is manifested by the same symptoms: often chest pain on the left radiates to the arm.

With musculofascial syndrome, the pain is usually in the neck and back, radiating to the left side of the body. They are usually caused by tension in the skeletal muscles.

It is important to distinguish neuralgic pain radiating to the shoulder blade and arm from cardiac pain. The doctor studies their location, clarifies the symptoms, and prescribes additional studies.

Psychogenic cardialgia

This sensation is characterized by the fact that the patient feels the heart, it seems to him that it is decreasing, enlarging, or “shrinking into a lump.” This condition is also characterized by nagging pain, including on the left side of the sternum, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm. They are called synestopathic, when a person is haunted by a persistent conviction that his heart is unhealthy. Often he stops leading a normal life, his entire existence is focused only around an imaginary problem.

Useful video

From the following video you can learn the difference between pain of cardiac origin and intercostal neuralgia:

Conclusion

Pain in the sternum on the left, radiating to the shoulder blade and arm, occurs quite often, and sometimes it is not so easy to find out its causes.
Acute pain on the left under the shoulder blade, sharp and burning, arising in the center and radiating to the left arm and shoulder, more often indicates a problem in the heart. Such localization usually indicates an attack of coronary artery disease or a heart attack to a greater extent.
If the pain is localized on the left, but not and does not radiate, most likely the cause is non-cardiac.

Pain in the sternum is a common symptom of cardiovascular disease. Left chest pain does not always indicate a heart attack. Disorders of the digestive, endocrine, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems are possible causes of pain in the heart area. Pain in the left half of the chest can radiate to the arm, leg, head, shoulder or neck and manifest itself in the form of disorders of various organs.

Diseases of the spinal column

To find out the cause of pain in the left side of the chest, you need to consult a specialist and undergo a series of examinations.

Why does pain occur on the left side of the chest?

The activity of internal organs in changing environmental conditions is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Nerve tissues emerge from the spinal cord and branch throughout the body. The endings of the nerve fibers intertwine with the musculoskeletal system, forming the somatic nervous system. This part of the peripheral nervous system is responsible for a number of important tasks: delivering motor signals to the muscles and sensory information to the brain.

Pain signals from damaged areas are transmitted to the spinal cord. Then the information enters the brain, and the severity of the damage caused to the body is assessed. In a healthy body, weak pain signals are suppressed at the initial stage of information processing. Some people have an impaired “suppression of weak signals” system, so even mild pain can radiate to all parts of the body. With pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) or spine, when the transmission of pain signals is disrupted, the left side of the chest often hurts.

The most common causes of pain in the upper sternum:

Mental disorders.
Diseases of the skeletal system.
Congenital or acquired heart defects.
Myofascial syndrome.
Pathologies of the abdominal organs.

Heart problems

Cardiac ischemia caused by atherosclerotic plaques reduces circulating blood volume. The blood supply to the myocardium is disrupted and anginal pain occurs. Angina pectoris is a companion of people with coronary artery disease. Acute pain is felt like a squeezing vice or spasms that goes away when physical activity or emotional stress stops. At rest, angina occurs extremely rarely. The pain radiates to the neck and even to the arm. The duration of the attack is highly variable: from a few seconds to an hour. Pain in the sternum begins suddenly with the following factors:

Excessive physical activity.
Psycho-emotional stress.
High or very low ambient temperature.
Eating fatty foods.
Use of stimulant psychotropic substances, for example: nicotine or caffeine.

Angina pectoris can develop into a life-threatening condition - myocardial infarction. During a heart attack, the pain syndrome changes and intensifies many times over. Pain is characterized by confusion or loss of consciousness, nausea or vomiting.

Pain during myocardial infarction

Inflammatory heart diseases also contribute to the development of chest pain on the left. Myocarditis is an infectious, idiopathic or allergic lesion of the heart, which is accompanied by a nagging dull pain. The disorder progresses gradually and does not manifest itself in paroxysms (attacks). Increased body temperature, pain in the side, weakness - symptoms of myocarditis. The acute form of the disease is manifested by cyanosis (bluish discoloration of the skin and mucous membranes), swelling of the legs and weakness. Myocarditis often develops after infectious diseases.

Inflammation of the outer lining of the heart is commonly called pericarditis. Fluid accumulates in the cavities of the heart, which interferes with the normal functioning of cardiomyocytes. There is a stabbing pain in the left side of the chest, which is similar to a heart attack. The upper chest often hurts. The pain subsides when changing position or bending the torso forward. The person experiences chills, difficulty breathing, and when breathing, the feeling of pain intensifies.

Mitral valve prolapse is a condition characterized by abnormalities in the functioning of the heart valves. Pathology in the development of connective tissue leads to the fact that the valve cannot sufficiently close the valves. In severe cases, this leads to blood leaking into the left upper chamber of the heart. The attacks are accompanied by panic, arrhythmia, fainting and difficulty breathing. Psycho-emotional stress is the cause of such conditions. In some uncomplicated cases, mitral valve prolapse does not pose a risk to human health and is a normal option.

The most dangerous condition for the cardiovascular system is aortic dissection. Severe vasodilation (increase in the lumen) of a certain area of the vessel makes the walls fragile and thin. This leads to the fact that even a weak influence of the external environment can cause aortic dissection and death of a person. Severe pain occurs in the left side of the sternum, which is stronger than the pain of myocardial infarction. Pressing, cutting, aching and stabbing pains predominate. Often patients experience such severe and sharp pain that they compare it to a stake in the chest.

Symptoms that are inherent in aortic dissection:

Tachycardia.
Dizziness.
Syncope (fainting).
Paleness of the face.
Acrocyanosis (cyanosis).

Aortic dissection caused by an infectious pathogen presents with a febrile syndrome. The patient practically does not answer questions and rarely remains conscious for a long time. It is urgent to call an ambulance and hospitalize the patient.

Gastrointestinal disorders

Increased acidity, diabetes mellitus, mental illness are the causes of gastroesophageal reflux. The flow of stomach acid into the esophagus causes inflammation, accompanied by pain on the left side of the sternum, a sour taste and foul-smelling belching. Overeating is a risk factor. You need to eat small meals, but regularly.

Almost all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract cause pain in the left sternum. Symptoms that are inherent in gastrointestinal disorders:

Increased pain after eating.
Burning, often itching.
Foreign body sensation.
Belching with an unpleasant odor.
Nausea.
Pain in the left side that radiates to the left arm.
High body temperature.

Why does my left breast hurt?

If there is a stabbing sensation in the left breast, the pain varies depending on the position - this may be osteochondrosis of the thoracic region. Careless movements, coughing or sneezing can greatly increase the sensation of pain under the chest or in the heart area. Often it stings in the left side or in the upper part of the sternum due to overeating. If there is pain in the area of the heart, and the force does not change when inhaling or changing body position, this is a myocardial infarction. The occurrence of pain when taking a deep breath indicates the presence of intercostal neuralgia. When you inhale deeply, the diaphragm expands and puts pressure on the pinched nerve, which leads to intensified pain in the upper chest.

Mental illness

Anxiety spectrum disorders often cause heart attack-like symptoms. Pain occurs due to pathological foci of excitation in the peripheral nervous system. Often patients are completely healthy and their condition does not pose a threat. Anxiety disorders arise due to an imbalance of the neurotransmitter systems – norepinephrine and serotonin, which regulate the level of anxiety.

The locus coeruleus is a source of vigor

Norepinephrine projections from the locus coeruleus are involved in maintaining alertness and mobilizing mental resources during stress. Serotonin projections from the raphe nucleus control a person's mood. An imbalance in the functioning of these systems leads to a person becoming overly active. This excessive activity excites the sympathetic nervous system, which is involved in the fight-or-flight response. Hyperkinesis (muscle twitching), tremors, dizziness, heart pain are the consequences of such conditions.

Symptoms of a panic attack:

Derealization/depersonalization.
Dizziness.
Fear of death.
Tachycardia.
High blood pressure.
Extrasystoles.
Tremor of the limbs.
Pain above or at the level of the sternum.

If the symptoms above are accompanied by severe pain in the heart, this means that you should call an ambulance.

Important! According to recent data, men are much more likely to have a heart attack, and men are more susceptible to mental disorders than women.

Some mental disorders can lead to potentially dangerous cardiovascular conditions, such as Takotsubo cardiomyopathy.

How are the causes of chest pain diagnosed?

The primary care physician will begin by reviewing the patient's medical history and physical examination. If auscultation (listening) reveals murmurs or there is a suspicion of cardiovascular pathology, additional examinations are carried out to determine the exact cause. If after heart surgery there is pain on the left side of the sternum, and the pain is accompanied by other symptoms, you need to re-diagnose.

A number of mandatory examinations necessary for differential diagnosis:

ECG is a method for studying the electrical activity of the heart. Electrocardiography converts electrical impulses into a paper tape on which the heart rhythm is displayed.
Radiography is used to localize bruises or injuries of various etiologies. Helps identify changes or deformation of the spinal column.
Clinical and biochemical blood tests to detect signs of inflammation or signs of myocardial infarction. In some cases, the amount of high and low density lipoproteins, total cholesterol and liver enzymes is determined to exclude a number of other pathological conditions.
An abdominal ultrasound reveals problems caused by damage or disease to internal organs.
A stress test (bicycle ergometry) allows you to detect hidden coronary problems and the initial stage of coronary heart disease.

After collecting an anamnesis, depending on the etiology of the disease, conservative or surgical intervention is prescribed.

Constant chest pain: treatment and prevention

Treatment of pain in the left side of the chest depends on the etiology of the disease. To find out the cause of your symptoms, you need to consult your doctor. Do not take medications without a doctor's prescription.

For cardiovascular diseases, beta blockers and calcium channel blockers are prescribed, which reduce the myocardial oxygen demand. Acetylsalicylic acid is used to thin the blood and reduce platelet aggregation. Antihypertensive drugs are effective in treating high blood pressure and preventing hypertensive crisis. If you have high cholesterol levels, you take statins, drugs that lower cholesterol levels in the blood.

For gastrointestinal disorders, antacids, adsorbents and a treatment table are prescribed depending on the cause of the disease. It is necessary to avoid choleretic, acidic substances that enhance intestinal motility: caffeine, nicotine, spicy or fatty foods. If the left side of the chest hurts after eating a certain type of food, you should avoid it.

Pain on the left side of the chest begins for a number of reasons. In most cases, when pain occurs, people think that it is a heartache. However, most often this is not the case. Moreover, if we are talking about the connection between chest pain and the respiratory process.

Based on the location of the pain, it is difficult to determine which organ needs treatment. Let's consider the main causes of discomfort in the chest when inhaling and the principles of differentiating the main diseases.

To inhale, a number of muscles contract, due to which the ribs rise, the dimensions (vertical, anteroposterior and transverse) of the chest cavity increase, the lungs expand, the pressure in them decreases, and air enters through the airways.

If in the chest area there are altered organs, damaged vessels, pinched nerves or, for example, injured ribs, then mechanical compression during expansion of the lungs responds with various kinds of painful sensations.

Unlike pain not associated with breathing, these sensations are not permanent, that is, they arise or intensify only during a deep breath.

Intercostal neuralgia

This pathology occurs when intercostal nerves are compressed either near the spinal column (nerve roots) or in the intercostal space (nerve endings). It is characterized by pain when taking a deep breath under the ribs of a different nature: compressive, dull or stabbing, aching, burning. The pain is localized not only near the heart, but can occur in the collarbone, increases with sudden movements, palpation, and radiates to the scapula.

Causes of neuralgia:

injury;
physical overload;
hypothermia;
stress;
complication of a cold;
unsuccessful movement;
metabolic disorders, etc.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia occurs in two stages. First, the pain syndrome is relieved, then measures are taken to eliminate the disease that caused the pinched nerve.

The most common neuralgic cause of pain on the left side of the chest is osteochondrosis - a disorder of the structure and function of articular cartilage (the most common is intervertebral discs).

The main causes of osteochondrosis are:

metabolic disorder;
hereditary predisposition;
spinal injuries;
curvature of the spine, flat feet;
hard work (physical overload);
prolonged incorrect postures (asymmetrical positions, incorrect posture)
age-related changes.

These disorders lead to damage to the intervertebral discs, as a result of which the vertebrae gradually move closer to each other, pinching the nerve roots. There is pain and muscle numbness.

The main methods of treatment are drug therapy, therapeutic massage and physical exercise. Traditional methods and acupuncture are also used.

Signs of intercostal neuralgia

Consequences of chest injury

Pain when inhaling in the chest on the left is often caused by various injuries to this area. Painful sensations appear constantly, and increase with tension, coughing, and deep breaths.

Chest injuries are divided into open and closed. Open injuries are penetrating or non-penetrating wounds. Closed injuries accompanied by pain when inhaling:

fractures;
bruises;
ruptures;
concussions.

In the case of a rib fracture, in addition to the pain symptom, the crunching of the rubbing edges of the broken rib is also felt. In complex cases, rib fragments damage internal organs, blood vessels, and pleura. A fracture is diagnosed by radiography.

Pain in the collarbone on the left when inhaling (or when moving the shoulder, raising the arm) often indicates a fracture or dislocation of the collarbone itself. A clavicle fracture occurs due to a fall on the shoulder, elbow, outstretched arm, or due to a direct blow to the bone. Symptoms of a fracture may include swelling, hemorrhage, and visible displacement of fragments. A dislocation of the clavicle is a displacement of one of its ends: the acromial or sternal.

Bruises occur when struck, for example, by a blunt object, and are accompanied by pain, which intensifies with inhalation, and hematoma. Simple bruises without complications do not require special treatment. If the bruise leads to extensive hemorrhage or tissue ruptures, in this case the injury is severe and hospitalization is required.

In case of a concussion, the patient's condition is defined as severe, in which there are no anatomical changes, the pulse is rapid, the limbs are cold, and it is painful to breathe. Urgent hospitalization is required.

Respiratory diseases as a cause of pain when inhaling

Often, pain in the left chest when taking a deep breath does not appear alone, but is accompanied by shortness of breath, cough, hemoptysis, fever, and bluish skin. With these symptoms, one of the following diseases occurs:

tuberculosis or pneumonia (the inflammatory process has spread to the pleural area);
pulmonary infarction;
pleurisy;
malignant process.

Pleurisy is an inflammatory lesion of the lining of the lungs, called the pleura. In the case of this disease, pain when taking a deep breath occurs only with dry pleurisy, that is, when fluid does not accumulate in the pleural area. This pathology is characterized by pain in the lower back when inhaling. This disease (dry pleurisy) usually occurs as a result of complications of other respiratory diseases (tuberculosis, pneumonia).

Infection of the pleura leads to changes in its vessels (their permeability increases), as a result of which blood plasma along with proteins penetrate into the pleural area. The liquid is absorbed, and the protein in dry form is deposited on the surface of the pleura. Over time, this leads to their thickening and difficulty in lung mobility.

Treatment of dry pleurisy consists of eliminating the original disease. To alleviate the patient's condition, symptomatic treatment is carried out (painkillers, antitussives).

The same diseases that cause pleurisy, as well as a number of other causes (trauma, emphysema), lead to pneumothorax - the appearance of air between the layers of the pleura. Symptoms of pneumothorax:

when breathing, pain in the chest on the left near the heart, shallow breathing;
dyspnea;
sweating, agitation.

The disease begins with an open injury to the chest, penetration of atmospheric air into the pleural cavity. The second option: if the lung tissue is damaged (violation of integrity) and gas penetrates from it. The pressure in the cavity changes, the lung collapses and ceases to participate in breathing. Pneumothorax is a medical emergency.

Chest pain on the left when inhaling also accompanies malignant damage to the lungs and pleura. The localization of pain indicates the location of the changed tissues (it hurts on the same side). As the disease develops, the painful sensations become permanent and no longer depend on breathing.

Cardiovascular pathologies

Pain when taking a deep breath on the left side under the ribs is associated with heart disease in the last place. In cardiovascular pathologies, pain occurs in the center of the chest or back (often slightly to the left), under the shoulder blade, radiates to the arm, the shoulder is constant, not related to the respiratory cycle.

This localization of pain is typical for angina and indicates the development of or. Pain when inhaling in rare cases can occur with myocarditis and pericarditis.

Dangerous heart diseases often begin asymptomatically. Or accompanied by such minor violations of the general condition as:

increased fatigue,
cardiopalmus,
dizziness.

With angina pectoris, during deep breathing the painful sensations do not increase, but rather subside. The pain radiates to the shoulder blade, neck, left shoulder, does not last long and is eliminated by taking nitrates (nitroglycerin).

The cause of angina is the narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels by cholesterol deposits (). Less blood enters the heart and oxygen starvation occurs. This pain is often characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, squeezing of the heart, and occurs during physical exertion.

A complication of angina is myocardial infarction.

Heart attack is myocardial damage due to acute lack of oxygen. Occurs due to impaired blood supply due to blockage of the coronary vessels.

Symptoms:

cutting pain behind the sternum;
nitroglycerin does not relieve pain;
cold sweat;
pale skin;
fainting.

The disease can occur with other symptoms: discomfort in the sternum, interruptions in heart function, shortness of breath and even abdominal pain.

If treatment is untimely or incorrect, complications may develop:

cardiogenic shock.

Symptoms of myocardial infarction require hospitalization.

Myocarditis is an infectious lesion of the myocardium. Pathology occurs as a complication of other infectious diseases (influenza, diphtheria, etc.), usually viral infections. Symptoms of myocarditis are aching pain in the heart area, aggravated by breathing, weakness, sweating, and irregular heart rhythm.

Treatment of myocarditis consists of therapy that suppresses the infection (antibiotics, antiviral drugs), taking anti-inflammatory and antihistamine drugs. In severe cases of the disease, glucocorticoid hormones are used. To improve metabolism, potassium supplements and vitamins are prescribed. Symptomatic treatment is carried out.

Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer heart sac (heart membrane) - the pericardium. Develops as a result of other inflammatory diseases (myocarditis, rheumatoid arthritis). This disease is characterized by: stabbing pain when inhaling on the left, in the center, low-grade fever, cough when lying down, shortness of breath. Treatment is carried out with anti-inflammatory drugs, symptomatically.

Useful video

How to distinguish true pain in the heart from another that radiates to the chest, watch this video:

Conclusion

There are many reasons for pain on the left side of the chest when inhaling. Most likely, this pain is neuralgic in nature or is a consequence of a chest injury. Less commonly, chest pain on the left is associated with respiratory diseases.
Only lastly, pain on the left side of the chest when inhaling indicate heart disease. Angina pectoris that develops against the background, as a rule, is not associated with the respiratory cycle, and the pain itself is localized in the center of the chest, back, under the shoulder blade.
When pain in the chest on the left radiates to the shoulder blade, you should immediately consult a doctor.

What will be the patient's first thought in this case? Of course, either the heart or some problems with the bones (especially if we could have received a blow to this area before). But in reality there are many more reasons. Therefore, today we’ll talk about why pain can occur on the right or left side of the chest.

Possible reasons

First of all, it is necessary to mention that pain can be varied. This or that psycho-emotional coloring of pain speaks of all sorts of problems. If we talk about the localization of problems, here we can distinguish six large groups of diseases:

Heart diseases. Caused by certain lesions of the heart muscle or coronary arteries.
Problems with large blood vessels. These include the aorta, pulmonary artery, and their branches.
Diseases of the respiratory system. First of all, they may be associated with lesions of the lungs, bronchi, and pleura.
Muscle or spinal lesions. If we talk about the muscles that provoke discomfort, we should highlight the anterior wall of the sternum, as well as the muscles of the shoulder girdle.
Damage to the abdominal organs and diaphragm.
Diseases of the mediastinal organs.

As for the most common diseases that can lead to certain types of pain, these include:

myocardial infarction;
aortic aneurysm;
heart diseases: angina pectoris, neurocirculatory dystonia, rheumatic carditis;
diseases of the respiratory system: tracheitis, pleurisy, pleural tumors;
gastrointestinal lesions: reflux esophagitis;

Let's look at some of them in more detail:

Myocardial infarction

The cause of such health problems is atherosclerosis, a disease in which blood vessels are affected by plaques that eventually block the lumen.

If this happens to the artery that supplies blood to the heart muscle, some of the myocardial cells die. Typical symptoms include:

severe, burning pain on the left side;
unpleasant sensations may radiate to the glenohumeral region;
a sharp release of adrenaline into the blood, which causes a person to feel a powerful attack of fear;
the appearance of cold sweat on the body.

Diagnosis of the disease is carried out already in a medical institution. Therefore, it is necessary to immediately give the patient nitroglycerin and call an ambulance.

Other disorders of the cardiovascular system

This term hides a rupture of the aortic wall, after which hemorrhage begins. The symptomatic picture of the disease is as follows:

severe pain in the sternum, which can either worsen or subside;
temperature increase up to 10 degrees;
pale skin;
decrease in the amount of urine emitted;
acceleration of the heartbeat, even visible pulsation is possible.

It should be noted that the pressure, as a rule, does not decrease. The main diagnostic method for identifying the problem is ultrasound examination of the heart muscle.

As for angina, it is otherwise called angina pectoris. The reason for such phenomena is due to a lack of blood supply to the heart muscle. The culprits of the unpleasant sensations can be severe stress or physical activity. Nitroglycerin will be the best assistant in this case. Although you may not need to take any action at all, the pain usually goes away on its own. This will take about a quarter of an hour.

With such phenomena, a person feels pain similar to compression. In this case, recoil can occur to the left side of the neck, as well as to the shoulder and directly to the arm. In older people, shortness of breath often occurs instead of pain.

If you have to deal with a problem such as neurocirculatory dystonia, diagnosis will be very difficult. The pain is functional. However, it is not possible to detect the problem even with in-depth diagnostics.

The pain is functional in nature. A detailed examination of the patient fails to find organic pathology. The symptomatic picture from patients can be very diverse. Many people note that they experience a tingling, dull, aching pain. There may be a feeling of tightness. The unpleasant sensations either intensify or subside. As a rule, they appear during rest or without any connection with physical work.

The emotional state can also be very different. The patient may be depressed or show aggression. Neurocirculatory dystonia often occurs in women during menopause. You can also note a constant feeling of heat and increased sweating.

Specialists prescribe medications aimed at stabilizing hormonal levels, as well as antidepressants or sedatives.

Rheumatic carditis is accompanied by a feeling of discomfort in the sternum. In addition, one can note an increase in temperature, joint pain, and problems with the central nervous system. The cause of such phenomena is infectious lesions of various natures. Most often they are associated with manifestations of chronic tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils), so if you are diagnosed with this problem, do not refuse surgery for anything.

Diagnosis is carried out after the appearance of a heart defect. It is formed due to streptococcal invasion of the heart valves. Effective diagnostic methods in this case are:

Listening to heart murmurs.
Ultrasound examination of the heart muscle.
Electrocardiography.
Analysis for rheumatic factor.

However, heart problems, as we have already said, are not the only factor that can cause pain. Next, let's look at other diseases that can cause discomfort.

Lesions of the respiratory, digestive system and sternum wall

The first problem that should be considered among diseases of the respiratory system is pleurisy. Typical manifestations of this kind of trouble are:

excruciating pain above the ribs;
wet cough;
fever.

If any pathological problems develop in the pleura, it will immediately make itself felt. The reason is simple: this part of our body contains a large number of nerve endings. However, they are felt only on one side of the sternum. Pleurisy itself can be either tumoral or manifest as a complication of pneumonia. In this case, a large amount of fluid accumulates in the pleural cavity. The main diagnostic methods in this case are:

As for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, gastroesophageal reflux should be noted here. The fact is that such disorders occur in absolutely all residents of our country, and perhaps even the entire planet. Who among us has not encountered such troubles as:

Additional manifestations of reflux may include pain behind the chest. They are often confused with heart pain, so the cause must be determined immediately. The main difference should be noted: discomfort with reflux often occurs only after eating. Sometimes pain may also appear when bending over. The main diagnostic method is gastroscopy. Conservative treatment includes antibacterial therapy. Surgery may also be prescribed.

The primary problem to talk about when you have problems with the sternum wall is herpes zoster. The pain is severe, and its center can be located almost anywhere in the sternum.

As a rule, painkillers do little to help. It is almost impossible to diagnose the disease until specific external manifestations appear - blistering formations with clear liquid.

In addition, we must not forget about such a problem as cervical osteochondrosis. Its cause is disorganization of the cartilage, which causes pinching of the nerves. The result is a dull pain that may subside or return. The fight against the disease is carried out with the help of physical therapy, massage, manual therapy, etc.

As you can see, a wide variety of disorders can be the culprits of chest pain. Therefore, at the first manifestations, you must immediately consult a doctor who will refer you for diagnosis. Based on its results, he will prescribe appropriate treatment.

Causes of pain in the upper chest

The frame of the rib cage is the spine to which the ribs are attached. The spinal canal contains the spinal cord, from which the nerves extend along the lower edge of each rib. The outside of the breast is covered with a layer of fat and skin. The bony frame protects the vital organs of the chest. These are the lungs, heart, and also the esophagus. The diaphragm is the lower border of the thoracic cavity and separates it from the abdominal cavity.

Each of the chest formations can be a source of pain. The tactics of patient management, examination and treatment prescription depend on this.

Sources of pathology

Unpleasant sensations in the upper chest are varied and vary in intensity, duration and even emotional and mental coloring.

Acute chest pain:

myocardial infarction;
dissecting aortic aneurysm;
chronic recurrent pain;
cardialgia (heart pain): angina pectoris, neurocirculatory dystonia, rheumatic carditis;
diseases of the lungs and pleura: tracheitis, pleurisy, pleural tumors;
diseases of the gastrointestinal tract: reflux esophagitis;
diseases of the chest wall: herpes zoster, osteochondrosis of the cervical spine.

Myocardial infarction

Develops as a result of damage to the blood vessels of the body by atherosclerosis. When plaque blocks the lumen of the artery supplying the heart, a section of cardiac tissue becomes necrotic.

As a result of this, a person feels a sharp dagger pain behind the sternum, radiating to the left shoulder and scapula. Discomfort is accompanied by a feeling of horror, fear of death. The skin becomes covered with cold sweat.

Dissecting aortic aneurysm

A rupture of the aortic wall is accompanied by sudden unbearable pain. Subsequently, there are episodes of increased and decreased pain. The temperature is subfebrile. Pallor increases, heart rate increases, urine output decreases. You can often notice a pulsation in the jugular fossa.

Blood pressure usually remains high. Ultrasound of the heart reveals a “double contour” of the aneurysm site.

Angina pectoris

Angina pain (“angina pectoris”) occurs due to a relative lack of blood supply to the heart. Felt during physical activity or psycho-emotional stress. They go away within minutes on their own or after taking a nitroglycerin tablet.

It hurts on the palm above the xiphoid process, behind the sternum. Sensation of being squeezed in a vice. Gives to the left hand, left shoulder, left side of the neck. In older people, pain is often replaced by shortness of breath.

Cardiopsychoneurosis

The pain is functional in nature. A detailed examination of the patient fails to find organic pathology.

The complaints are varied and emotional, but not specific. The chest hurts in the area of the heart, above or below it. The pain is stabbing, pressing, aching, squeezing, wave-like. It occurs either at rest or without a clear connection with physical activity.

The patient is emotionally labile, tearful or, on the contrary, aggressive and agitated. Some of these patients are menopausal women. Symptoms include periodic sweating and a feeling of heat.

Treatment is aimed at normalizing hormonal levels, stabilizing the nervous system and mental status.

Rheumatic carditis

Discomfort in the chest is combined with extracardiac manifestations of rheumatic carditis. This is an increase in body temperature, joint pain, damage to the central nervous system. Chronic tonsillitis and other foci of infection are often detected.

The diagnosis is established after the formation of a heart defect. The defect is formed due to damage to the heart valves by streptococcus. Heart murmurs are heard. Diagnostics is helped by ultrasound of the heart, electrocardiography, and rheumatic factor analysis.

Diseases of the lungs and pleura

Acute tracheitis is accompanied by chest pain above the costal angle. Pain occurs when coughing and is often excruciating. Accompanied by fever and sputum discharge.

The pleura contains many pain receptors. Therefore, the participation of the pleura in the pathological process is always accompanied by pain. Only one part of the chest can be “involved”.

Pleurisy is one of the complications of pneumonia or may be of a tumor nature. If there is a sufficient amount of fluid of any origin in the pleural cavity, it can be seen on x-ray. Shortness of breath and forced posture (sitting) occur. To establish the nature of the fluid, the pleural cavity is punctured.

Pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract

Gastroesophageal reflux disease is a problem that affects every person to one degree or another. Belching, heartburn, heaviness in the stomach. These symptoms are often accompanied by chest pain, so quite often it is necessary to differentiate them from heart pain.

The difference is that with reflux, a pain reaction occurs after eating, often associated with errors in the diet. The connection with physical activity is minimal (the exception is bending, when acidic gastric contents are thrown higher into the esophagus).

A connection between esophageal reflux and peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum and with diseases of the biliary tract has been revealed. Gastroscopy and antibacterial therapy are recommended if an ulcer is detected. Modern prokinetics help.

In advanced cases, surgical treatment is performed.

Chest wall diseases

Shingles is accompanied by severe pain of various localizations: at the top of the chest, above or below the nipple line, to the right or left of the sternum.

Painkillers help little. Before specific rashes appear, diagnosis is difficult. On the 3-5th day, small bubbles filled with clear liquid appear, located in a strip along the intercostal space.

The disease is infectious. Contact with a patient with chickenpox is noted. Treatment is antiviral drugs.

Osteochondrosis of the cervical spine occurs due to disorganization of the intervertebral cartilage, which leads to compression of the roots of the intercostal nerves, causing pain.

The pain is dull and recurrent. Computed tomography and MRI help to identify foci of osteochondrosis. Treatment is associated with symptom relief and is aimed at correcting the spinal apparatus. Physical therapy, massage, acupuncture, and manual therapy are used. Often, even the entire range of measures does not guarantee success in overcoming pain.

Causes of pain in the left side of the chest

Cardiovascular diseases

The absolute leaders in the number of deaths worldwide are diseases and pathologies of the cardiovascular system. They are divided into two large categories:

coronary;

Heart attack and ischemia. The arteries, which are called coronary arteries, are designed to supply blood to the heart muscle. Malfunctions caused by various factors lead to the fact that the muscles of the main human organ cease to be fully enriched with oxygen.

people suffering from diabetes mellitus of various forms;

A heart attack can provoke pain that radiates to the left arm, left shoulder, back, and abdominal cavity. In addition, these conditions may be aggravated by the presence of:

vomiting;

Often women during menopause become victims of such conditions. The hormonal balance changes, and a decrease in hormones provokes the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Women over forty should regularly take special medications, which are prescribed by a specialist in each specific case.

labored breathing;

Acute attacks of pain subside somewhat with various bends of the body.

tachycardia;

The pressure also drops sharply, the person stops responding to questions.

Respiratory diseases

Chest pain on the left can provoke diseases of the respiratory organs, especially if the pleura or bronchi are affected.

a sharp increase in temperature in the evening;

Spontaneous pneumothorax is a condition in which air moves from the lung to the pleural area. The membrane is irritated, and this causes an attack of stabbing and cutting pain. If you try to take a deep breath, this further increases the pain syndrome. Very often the pain can radiate to the shoulder, neck or lower back.

Pulmonary embolism is a condition where a blood vessel in the lung is blocked. If this happened on the left side, then in this condition patients complain of a sudden sharp pain, which intensifies with a deep breath. People in this state begin to breathe shallowly and frequently. Against the background of such conditions, patients may develop a feeling of panic and anxiety, as well as dizziness and weakness, even fainting. Sometimes there are convulsions.

dyspnea;

Neurological ailments

Sharp cutting or, conversely, dull aching pain can be caused by intercostal neuralgia. As the name itself suggests, with this disease the intercostal nerve endings begin to become irritated. Sometimes this condition can be triggered by an uncomfortable posture during sleep or careless movement during some kind of physical activity.

Cardioneurosis. It can be triggered by sudden stress or a series of stressful conditions. With this disease, dull aching pain in the left upper part of the chest is often noted. Sometimes they give way to rather strong but short-lived painful sensations. People with this diagnosis complain of:

cardiopalmus;

Diseases and injuries of the spine

Osteochondrosis is one of the most common pathologies of the spine. With this disease, a degenerative process is observed that leads to the destruction of the vertebral discs. Often the root cause of this disease is a sedentary lifestyle - excessive sitting at the computer, driving, etc. Also, the start for the development of the disease can be incorrect posture or excess weight.

discomfort during inhalation or exhalation;

These pains or other unpleasant sensations can bother people at night, causing signs of panic, as they sometimes resemble myocardial infarction or angina. However, pain due to osteochondrosis decreases sharply if you do a little warm-up or change your body position.

Other reasons

In men and women, similar pain can also occur due to various lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. Among the common reasons:

Gastritis, when the gastric mucosa is irritated (see also - symptoms of gastritis).

In addition, there are specific, so-called. “female” causes of pain in the left side of the chest. These include:

Mastopathy or benign growth of the mammary glands.

How to understand what hurts behind the sternum (video)

Three tests for chest pain. Elena Malysheva and her colleagues will talk about them in detail. How a stress test is performed - ECG at rest and during physical activity.

What to do and who to contact

The first step in case of frequent or constant pain in the left side of the chest is to completely exclude any self-diagnosis options. These activities should be carried out only in a specialized medical institution.

radiography;

Only based on the results of a comprehensive study can correct and adequate treatment be prescribed.

Frequent pain in the left side of the chest

Pain in the left side of the chest can signal a variety of pathologies. Sometimes even experienced doctors do not immediately determine the true causes of discomfort. Often these are heart diseases. But, in addition to such ailments, pain may indicate problems with the respiratory system, gastrointestinal tract, spine, and central nervous system.

What does discomfort indicate?

Pain in the left side of the chest is most often triggered by severe stress. In this case, there is a possibility that the patient will have a heart attack. Especially if the discomfort occurs unexpectedly and is sudden.

At the same time, there are various causes of pain that do not threaten the patient’s life. But even in this case, the seriousness of such manifestations cannot be ruled out. A mild aching pain in the left side of the chest seems harmless only at first glance.

The severity of the disease can be assessed by accompanying symptoms. Listen carefully to your condition, whether your pain in the left region of the sternum is associated with:

Most importantly, even with minimal discomfort, consult a doctor. The prescribed examination will allow you to timely identify the disease and save you from further development of the pathology.

Common Causes

If a patient experiences pain in the left side of the chest, then the first diseases that an experienced doctor will check for are pathologies of the cardiovascular system.

Ailments that provoke such discomfort include:

Angina pectoris. Due to ischemia (tissue damage caused by hypoxia), pain occurs. Pathology appears after physical activity or stress. The patient needs rest and the use of nitrates.
Myocardial infarction. Part of the heart muscle dies. The patient experiences severe left-sided (sometimes central) chest pain. Discomfort occurs suddenly. The pain may spread to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or abdomen.
Pericarditis. The mucous membrane around the heart becomes inflamed. The discomfort is aggravated in a supine position. The condition is accompanied by a cough. The patient experiences relief in a sitting position or leaning forward. Difficulty breathing, slightly elevated temperature, and fatigue may occur.
Pulmonary embolism. With this pathology, a blockage of the pulmonary artery occurs. The condition resembles a heart attack. Suddenly the pain begins, quite severe. As a result of blockage, the lung tissue dies. With such a diagnosis, the patient has difficulty breathing, a cough containing bloody sputum, sweating, shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting, paleness with a bluish tint.
Aortic dissection. Blood accumulates in the wall of the aorta. The inner and middle layers begin to separate. There is a rupture. The patient experiences sharp, severe pain. It can be felt in the back, neck, stomach, jaw. The condition is very similar to a heart attack.

Respiratory tract diseases

After excluding pathologies of the cardiac system, a fair question arises: “Why does it hurt in the left side of the chest?” The answer to this may be hidden in pathologies of the respiratory tract.

Some infections can cause frequent acute pain in the left sternum. As a rule, they are accompanied by:

If the source of discomfort is non-infectious pathologies, then hyperthermia, as a rule, is not observed.

Among the main reasons are the following:

Diseases of the peritoneum

Unfortunately, gastrointestinal pathologies cannot be ruled out. Many peritoneal organs are located in this area. Often such diseases manifest themselves as pain in the left side of the chest.

Discomfort increases when lying down. Most often we are talking about diseases that affect:

The most common sources of unilateral “left” chest pain are:

ulcers;
gastritis;
hiatal hernia;
pathology of the left kidney;
ailments of the spleen;
pancreatitis;
gallstone diseases.

Discomfort under left breast

Determining the source of pain is sometimes quite difficult. There are muscles under the breasts, which can be caused by severe anxiety and stress.

It should not be forgotten that in this area there is:

Constant pain in the left side of the chest can be caused by pathologies of these organs. Certain diseases cause the spleen to become enlarged and sometimes rupture (infectious mononucleosis). In this case, the patient experiences severe discomfort in the left chest.

Stomach diseases (ulcers, gastritis, cancer) can provoke pain. A diaphragmatic hernia also causes discomfort in the above area.

Pain in the upper left chest

Such sensations most often occur with various heart pathologies. In the case of ischemia, the pain in the left upper part of the chest is of a pressing, squeezing nature. As a rule, it lasts 5-15 minutes. Discomfort spreads to the area of the left shoulder and arm. Sometimes it can even reach the little finger.

Excessive physical or mental overstimulation can provoke an attack of angina. The patient will also experience severe discomfort in the left breast. Ignoring these symptoms can lead to myocardial infarction.

Another disease that causes pain in the left side of the chest (above) is cardioneurosis. The discomfort is long-lasting and aching in nature. In this case, the pain is felt specifically in the upper chest area.

Aching discomfort

This pain most often characterizes hormonal changes. Therefore, we often encounter this type of discomfort:

teenagers;
women during menopause;
individuals diagnosed with thyroid dysfunction.

If we are talking about teenagers, then most often the discomfort goes away on its own, after the end of the period of growing up. Doctors recommend these children:

vitamin complexes;
healthy eating;
some sedatives;
moderate physical activity.

Women experiencing heart pain during menopause should be examined by a doctor. Since reduced production of sex hormones can affect the functioning of any internal organs. Only an examination will allow you to exclude severe heart pathologies.

This also applies to patients suffering from thyroid disorders. Any pathologies can seriously affect internal organs. Consultation with an endocrinologist is the only right decision.

Stitching discomfort

The source of such sensations may be a change in the heart or other organs. Stitching pain in the left side of the chest, paroxysmal in nature, constantly intensifying, accompanied by shortness of breath - this is a serious reason to call an ambulance.

This type of pain can be observed with rheumatic heart disease, inflammation of the heart muscle. Painkillers can improve the condition somewhat.

Stitching pain can be caused by many other pathologies:

diseases of the digestive organs;
intercostal neuralgia;
pneumonia;
rib fracture;
pleurisy;

Dull sensations

Most often, such discomfort is directly related to pericarditis. A dull pain in the left side of the chest is constant. Sometimes she can be harsh and strong. Pericarditis is an inflammatory process of a special membrane that holds the heart in the required position.

Dull, severe pain localized along the spine, which is accompanied by weakness, may indicate a dissecting aortic aneurysm.

Chronic pathologies of the pancreas can also cause similar sensations on the left side of the sternum.

The appearance of discomfort is also provoked by cancerous tumors of the stomach and lung. Particularly strong sensations arise in the last stages.

Patients who feel a dull pain in the left side of the sternum should immediately refuse any exercise. This is especially true for walking.

In this condition, it is best to lie down. Or, at the very least, sit down comfortably. The patient is given a Nitroglycerin tablet and, without delay, calls an ambulance. It is strictly forbidden to travel to a medical facility on your own. You should not delay visiting a doctor. Because we are talking about the patient's life.

Nagging pain

This discomfort can be caused by several reasons.

If the patient experiences unilateral nagging pain, then most often we are talking about a pathology in the thoracic spine - osteochondrosis. This disease is characterized by changes in the intervertebral discs.

The source may be improper load, impaired metabolism. Osteochondrosis often develops as a result of prolonged stay in one position. For example, this pathology is very common among office workers and drivers.

A nagging pain in the left side of the chest may signal the development of scoliosis. The reason is also hidden in the uneven and incorrect load on the spine.

What does pain on the left side of the chest indicate when inhaling?

Why does my chest hurt when I inhale?

Unlike pain not associated with breathing, these sensations are not permanent, that is, they arise or intensify only during a deep breath.

Heart attacks and strokes are the cause of almost 70% of all deaths in the world. Seven out of ten people die due to blockages in the arteries of the heart or brain. In almost all cases, the reason for such a terrible end is the same - pressure surges due to hypertension.

Intercostal neuralgia

osteochondrosis;
injury;
physical overload;
hypothermia;
stress;
complication of a cold;
unsuccessful movement;
metabolic disorders, etc.

Treatment of intercostal neuralgia occurs in two stages. First, the pain syndrome is relieved, then measures are taken to eliminate the disease that caused the pinched nerve.

The main causes of osteochondrosis are:

metabolic disorder;
hereditary predisposition;
spinal injuries;
curvature of the spine, flat feet;
hard work (physical overload);
prolonged incorrect postures (asymmetrical positions, incorrect posture)
age-related changes.

These disorders lead to damage to the intervertebral discs, as a result of which the vertebrae gradually move closer to each other, pinching the nerve roots. There is pain and muscle numbness.

The main methods of treatment are drug therapy, therapeutic massage and physical exercise. Traditional methods and acupuncture are also used.

Signs of intercostal neuralgia

Consequences of chest injury

Pain when inhaling in the chest on the left is often caused by various injuries to this area. Painful sensations appear constantly, and increase with tension, coughing, and deep breaths.

Chest injuries are divided into open and closed. Open injuries are penetrating or non-penetrating wounds. Closed injuries accompanied by pain when inhaling:

In case of a concussion, the patient's condition is defined as severe, in which there are no anatomical changes, the pulse is rapid, the limbs are cold, and it is painful to breathe. Urgent hospitalization is required.

Respiratory diseases as a cause of pain when inhaling

tuberculosis or pneumonia (the inflammatory process has spread to the pleural area);
pulmonary infarction;
pleurisy;
pneumothorax;
malignant process.

Treatment of dry pleurisy consists of eliminating the original disease. To alleviate the patient's condition, symptomatic treatment is carried out (painkillers, antitussives).

when breathing, pain in the chest on the left near the heart, shallow breathing;
dyspnea;
sweating, agitation.

The disease begins with an open injury to the chest, penetration of atmospheric air into the pleural cavity. The second option: if the lung tissue is damaged (violation of integrity) and gas penetrates from it. The pressure in the cavity changes, the lung collapses and ceases to participate in breathing. Pneumothorax is a medical emergency.

Cardiovascular pathologies

Pain when taking a deep breath on the left side under the ribs is associated with heart disease in the last place. In cardiovascular pathologies, pain occurs in the center of the chest or back (often slightly to the left), under the shoulder blade, radiates to the arm, the shoulder is constant, not related to the respiratory cycle.

This localization of pain is typical for angina pectoris and indicates the development of coronary artery disease or myocardial infarction. Pain when inhaling in rare cases can occur with myocarditis and pericarditis.

Dangerous heart diseases often begin asymptomatically. Or accompanied by such minor violations of the general condition as:

increased fatigue,
dyspnea,
cardiopalmus,
dizziness.

The cause of angina is the narrowing of the lumen of blood vessels by cholesterol deposits (atherosclerosis). Less blood enters the heart and oxygen starvation occurs. This pain is often characterized by a burning sensation in the chest, squeezing of the heart, and occurs during physical exertion.

A complication of angina is myocardial infarction.

Heart attack is myocardial damage due to acute lack of oxygen. Occurs due to impaired blood supply due to blockage of the coronary vessels.

cutting pain behind the sternum;
nitroglycerin does not relieve pain;
cold sweat;
pale skin;
fainting.

The disease can occur with other symptoms: discomfort in the sternum, interruptions in heart function, shortness of breath and even abdominal pain.

If treatment is untimely or incorrect, complications may develop:

acute heart failure;
cardiogenic shock.

Symptoms of myocardial infarction require hospitalization.

Useful video

How to distinguish true pain in the heart from other pain that radiates to the chest, watch this video:

Left chest pain: causes

When a person has chest pain on the left, he usually takes this symptom more seriously than pain on the right side. This is explained by the fact that it is generally accepted that the heart is located on the left side. This encourages people to worry about their lives and see a doctor sooner.

The left-sided location of the heart is a delusion. In reality, this vital organ is located almost centrally between the lungs and exits to the left with only one ventricle. However, pain on the left side is most often caused by heart problems.

Causes depending on the nature of the pain

Sharp stabbing pain

Pericarditis

The pericardium performs the functions of fixing the size and position of the heart and its stable filling with blood. The disease is characterized by inflammation in the sac around the heart - the pericardium. It occurs due to the presence of infection and autoimmune processes in the body. The signs of this pathology are similar to a heart attack. However, there is a distinctive feature: when a person lies down, the pain intensifies, and when he gets up, on the contrary, it weakens.

Pneumothorax

There are no nerve endings in the lungs themselves, so the body reacts with pain to pathological inflammation affecting their membrane - the pleura. When you inhale, the pain sensations intensify, and when you hold your breath, they weaken, on the contrary.

Pneumothorax is characterized by damage to the integrity of the pleura and branches of the bronchus due to penetrating or closed chest trauma. Air enters the lining of the lung. In this case, the person experiences sharp pain, difficulty breathing, weakness and dizziness.

Cutting pain

Reflux

The esophagus becomes inflamed when stomach acid flows into its cavity. Often this process is characterized by pain on the left side of the chest, which has a cutting character. The patient has a sour taste in the mouth and has difficulty swallowing. Gastrointestinal reflux can be caused by diseases such as diabetes, high acidity, and deterioration of the gastrointestinal tract. This is also often facilitated by overeating - at a time when holidays are widely celebrated with rich feasts, doctors record an increase in cases of inflammation of the esophagus.

Pulmonary embolism

This diagnosis is indicated if a blood clot has formed in the pulmonary artery. Patients complain of pain on the left side of the chest, increased breathing, and a sharp lack of oxygen. Chest pain worsens if a person takes a deep breath. Those at risk are smokers, fans of frequent air travel and long car trips.

Pneumonia

It is characterized by an inflammatory process that occurs in the lungs due to various infections. Pain occurs when the lining of the lung, where the nerve endings are located, is damaged. Due to the fact that the intertwining of nerve fibers is concentrated in the sternum area, the pain radiates to one of its two halves, being localized above and below the nipple. The pain gets worse when the person coughs and breathes heavily.

Acute pain

Aortic aneurysm

A sign of this disease is a feeling of severe pain. Patients describe it as tearing. Pain sensations are localized in the left side of the chest. Symptoms of an aortic aneurysm include difficulty breathing, darkening of the eyes, and numbness in the limbs. The tongue feels like it’s becoming cottony. A person may lose consciousness and face partial paralysis.

There is a risk of death due to aortic rupture and subsequent internal hemorrhage, so if characteristic pain appears, you must immediately call an ambulance.

Stomach ulcer

An ulcer occurs as a complication of chronic gastritis. It can also be triggered by certain medications if their dosage regimen is incorrectly prescribed. In this case, a peptic ulcer attacks a person very quickly. The ulcer manifests itself through the release of blood with saliva, severe chest pain, and its symptoms are often confused with cholecystitis. Therefore, diagnosis in this case is often difficult and there is a need for fibrogastroscopy.

Pleurisy

The pleura (the lining of the lungs) becomes inflamed during other infectious processes occurring in the body. With this disease, a special substance is released that irritates the nerve endings. With every breath the pain intensifies.

Mitral valve prolapse

In the first stages, the disease is asymptomatic. Then the person notices the occurrence of sudden pain attacks that are in no way related to physical activity. His attacks of dizziness become more frequent, breathing becomes difficult, and lethargy and weakness appear. Prolapse can provoke complications that disrupt the heart rhythm. This condition is extremely life-threatening.

It's a dull pain

Myocarditis

Inflammation of the myocardium manifests itself as aching, squeezing pain. With this disease, the rhythm of its contraction is disrupted, breathing becomes difficult, and the patient feels weak. If the disease is not treated, it can be aggravated by the appearance of pathological changes in the myocardial muscle - cardiomyopathy.

Giving into the hand

Coronary heart disease, heart attack

If there are chest pains that radiate to the left arm for a long time, you should be wary of myocardial infarction. This is a very common occurrence in modern times. Bad habits, constant stress, poor environment, and poor quality nutrition contribute to this. This is a test even for a young body, not to mention older patients.

Ischemic disease is a precursor to heart attack. It manifests itself when excess cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the arteries. This interferes with normal blood flow and atherosclerosis occurs. Over time, this can lead to atrophy of the heart muscle.

The state of blood flow also worsens in the case of thrombosis and vasospasm.

Angina pectoris

In this case, the symptoms that occur during myocardial infarction are characteristic. Angina appears after severe nervous stress or overwork. Her attacks are short, often no longer than 5-7 minutes. It occurs due to a decrease in cardiac blood supply, causing the heart to lack oxygen. If an angina attack lasts more than five minutes, this may be a harbinger of a heart attack. You should definitely call the ambulance service.

The body can also react to the stress experienced by the manifestation of cardioneurosis. In this case, hypertension, redness in the face, irritability, weakness and severe incessant pain under the left breast are observed.

How to figure out why there is pain on the left side of the chest

An old forgotten grandmother's method of TREATING JOINTS.

You just need to apply it.

Most people believe that chest pain on the left indicates heart disease. Often such a statement is completely justified and requires calling an ambulance or taking appropriate medications. But in some cases, pain can be caused by disorders in other organs. In order to understand the reasons for their occurrence, even an experienced specialist must conduct a series of clinical studies. Still, it is important to have an idea of what diseases are the source of these symptoms, and, therefore, to be able to take the necessary measures in a timely manner.

The human autonomic nervous system controls the coordinated functioning of all of its internal organs and adapts them to environmental changes. Its trunks originate from the spinal cord, forming branches in the chest area, which then follow to other organs. Moreover, their roots have endings intertwined with the tissues of the musculoskeletal system. Pain signals transmitted from damaged areas of the body, along their path, enter the common trunk. That is why, with diseases of the gastric tract or pathologies of the spinal column, the left breast hurts.

Due to such close interaction and multi-level connections of the human nervous system, pain in the chest area often occurs with excessive anxiety or mental stress. Pain syndrome on the left side of the chest is not always life-threatening, but, nevertheless, with such symptoms you should visit a doctor. To understand why these pains appear, let's consider their intensity, location and the main pathologies that are directly related to them.

Sharp stabbing

Pericarditis

Sharp stabbing pain in the heart area, extending beyond the sternum, may indicate inflammation of the pericardium. This is the outer layer of the heart, which fixes its position and size, and also contributes to stable filling with blood. Symptoms of pericarditis are similar to those of a heart attack. But there is one peculiarity here. In a horizontal position of the body, the pain becomes stronger, and if a person bends forward, it weakens. The disease is also characterized by shortness of breath, a feeling of heat that suddenly turns cold. In rare cases, the left arm and shoulder are affected. When the pericardial cavity fills with fluid, the painful condition goes away.

Pneumothorax

Pain due to pathological processes in the respiratory organs is felt only when disorders occur that affect the pleural membrane. Since there are no nerve endings in the lungs themselves, they are therefore unable to send pain signals. But the pleura contains plenty of them. In the vast majority of cases, the pain becomes more intense when you inhale and disappears when you hold your breath.

Pneumothorax most often develops due to chest injuries, accompanied by injury to the lung and damage to one of the branches of the bronchus. In this case, air penetrates into the pleural cavity, which is a pathology. Features of the disease are difficulty breathing, sharp pain in the sternum. The person becomes weak and dizzy. If you suspect this disease, you should immediately call an ambulance.

cutting

Gastroesophageal reflux

When stomach acid flows into the esophagus, inflammation occurs. In some cases, this process is accompanied by cutting pain in the sternum on the left side, difficulty swallowing and a sour taste in the mouth. The causes of gastroesophageal reflux are disorders of the gastrointestinal tract, diabetes mellitus or high acidity. It is often caused by banal overeating.

Pulmonary embolism

If a blood clot forms in the trunk or branch of the pulmonary artery, this condition is called embolism. It manifests itself as cutting pain in the left side of the chest. Pulmonary embolism can develop during long flights or car rides. Women over 35 who take contraceptives or smoke a lot are also at risk. Symptoms of the disease occur suddenly. A person suddenly begins to feel a sharp lack of oxygen, breathing becomes rapid. In this case, chest pain appears, intensifying during deep breaths.

Pneumonia

Inflammation of the lungs, or pneumonia, is caused by various infections that affect the mucous membrane of the lungs. Due to the fact that the nerve fibers in the area of the sternum are densely intertwined, pain sensations are radiated to its left half, localized below or above the nipple. In addition, the situation is aggravated by coughing attacks and an increase in breathing frequency during this.

Pain in the middle of the chest often means heart problems, but there are also other causes.

Pain due to osteochondrosis can occur in the head, chest, eyes, arms, neck, throat and other parts of the body.

Crunching in the knee joint can occur for various reasons, mainly bursting gas bubbles, contact with bone ligaments, and injuries.

Acute

Mitral valve prolapse

Initially, the disease does not manifest itself at all. Then sudden attacks of pain occur, the intensity of which is not affected by physical activity. In addition, the patient may feel dizzy, have difficulty breathing, and weakness. Mitral valve prolapse is dangerous because it sometimes causes complications in which disturbances in the heart rhythm occur. This condition is life-threatening.

Aortic aneurysm

When severe tearing pain is felt in the left side of the chest, this is a sign of an aortic aneurysm. Its symptoms appear suddenly, and there is a risk of rupture followed by heavy internal bleeding. Therefore, you need to immediately consult a doctor and prevent such a development of events, otherwise it can be fatal.

With an aneurysm, the patient also experiences difficulty breathing and numbness of the limbs. The tongue becomes cottony, and sometimes the vision darkens. Loss of consciousness and partial paralysis are possible.

Stomach ulcer

Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by symptoms similar to exacerbation of cholecystitis - severe pain in the chest. Therefore, difficulties often arise during diagnosis. To accurately determine the cause, fibrogastroscopy is performed.

Pleurisy

This is an inflammation of the pleura, usually accompanying another infection. In this case, a substance is released that irritates the nerve endings of the membrane. Accordingly, with every breath my left chest hurts greatly.

Aching

Myocarditis

If aching, squeezing pain is felt in the left side of the chest, inflammation of the myocardial muscle can be suspected. This disease is accompanied by disturbances in the rhythm of its contraction, as a result of which the person experiences general weakness and difficulty breathing. In this case, you should not delay a visit to the doctor, since this condition may be a harbinger of cardiomyopathy - pathological changes in the heart muscle that are life-threatening.

Cholecystitis, pancreatitis

With chronic inflammation of the pancreas and gallbladder, there is often aching in the left half of the sternum. During acute attacks of these diseases, the intensity of pain increases sharply, and it begins to radiate to the area under the ribs.

Giving into the hand

Cardiac ischemia, heart attack

Prolonged pain in the chest, radiating to the left arm and neck, may be a harbinger of myocardial infarction. This is not uncommon nowadays. Constant stress, consumption of low-quality products and bad habits - even a young healthy body cannot always withstand this. If such symptoms appear, immediate medical attention is needed.

Coronary heart disease manifests itself in a similar way. It develops from excess cholesterol in the blood, deposited on the inner walls of the arteries. This interferes with normal blood flow - so-called atherosclerosis. Over time, the heart muscle stops working adequately and in advanced cases can atrophy.

Impaired blood flow is also caused by thrombosis and spasms of vascular smooth muscle tissue. Therefore, in such situations, antispasmodic (Barboval, No-shpa) and thrombolytic (Streptokinase, Actilyse) drugs are used. It is also necessary to reduce the stress placed on the heart muscle tissue when trying to increase blood flow. To do this, they use drugs that reduce the frequency of its contractions - “Valerian”, “Validol”.

Angina pectoris

Pain syndrome with angina pectoris (the so-called angina pectoris) has the same characteristic features as with a heart attack. Most often it occurs due to overwork or stressful situations and does not last long. The cause of angina is a decrease in cardiac blood supply, although changes in the heart muscle and blockage of blood vessels are not observed. Nitroglycerin tablets taken at intervals of 5 minutes usually help. In some cases, it is enough to simply give the body a rest. If the pain lasts more than 15 minutes and is accompanied by tachycardia, you should urgently call an ambulance.

Giving under the ribs

Pathologies of the spleen

Some diseases, such as mononucleosis, affect the spleen, causing it to become enlarged. In this case, the body gives a signal in the form of pain under the left breast and in the side. In addition to infections, the spleen is often subject to mechanical damage, since it is located close to the very surface of the body and is one of the first to suffer when struck.

Intercostal neuralgia

Most often, this problem occurs in teenagers. In this case, pain is felt in the left side under the ribs, which prevents you from taking deep breaths and is aggravated by sudden movements. This pain symptom has nothing in common with heart disease and usually goes away quickly without any treatment. The causes of intercostal neuralgia are excessive nervous tension and ignoring the norms of correct posture.

Below the chest

Cardioneurosis

Of all the temporary disorders of the central nervous system, cardioneurosis is the most common. It is the body's response to stress. With this disease, aching, incessant pain occurs, localized in the upper region of the heart (under the left breast). Secondary symptoms may include facial flushing and hypertension. The disease is also characterized by restlessness, weakness, and irritability. Usually, in addition to eliminating situations that cause nervous tension, sedatives help well with cardioneurosis.

Above the chest

Fibromyalgia

Fibromyalgia is characterized by generalized muscle pain, often intense in the upper chest. The exact causes of this disease have not been established, but practice shows that in most cases it is associated with changes in the functioning of the brain and all kinds of psychological problems.

As you can see, the main factors in the development of disorders in the functioning of the nervous system are constant stressful situations and excessive mental stress. Such pathologies are especially characteristic of modern residents of megacities. To avoid undesirable consequences, it is necessary to allocate enough time for rest and try to avoid moral overstrain. It’s not for nothing that they say that nerve cells do not regenerate.

When driving

Stitching pain in the heart area when moving is most likely a sign of diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Also, pain in this case occurs with deep breaths, sharp swings of the arms, and turns of the body. The main reasons here may be osteochondrosis (all about chest pain with osteochondrosis), scoliosis, inflammation of muscle and ligamentous tissues. To clarify the diagnosis, you should contact an orthopedist or neurologist.

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Among women

One of the biggest fears women have is breast cancer. And this fear is not groundless, since such a disease is not uncommon, and it is life-threatening. But in the initial stages there is no pain syndrome, and after development the pain is so strong that it can only be suppressed with narcotic drugs. Based on this, if your left breast starts to hurt, most likely it is not cancer.

Mastopathy

This is a fairly common disease that affects 80% of women sooner or later. Mastopathy is manifested by an increase in the size of glandular tissue and the formation of tumors, causing chest pain. Doctors have not yet come to a general conclusion regarding the causes of its occurrence, but most often the culprit is the high content of the hormones prolactin and estrogen. This can happen from frequent anxiety, diseases of the reproductive system, or prolonged use of hormonal drugs.

Cyst

Pain in the left breast may be caused by a cyst. With this disease, a capsule with liquid contents appears in the ducts of the mammary gland. The reasons here are basically the same as for mastopathy – hormonal imbalances. Although there are cases when the disease is provoked by trauma or sexual problems. For treatment, conservative methods are usually used, but if the size of the cyst is large, the fluid is pumped out by puncturing.

During pregnancy

During pregnancy, the mammary gland hurts in many women, and this is a completely normal circumstance. But here it is worth paying attention that the pain should be of the same intensity on both sides. If this is not the case, you should consult a doctor.

Pain syndrome is also quite common during breastfeeding. This can be caused either by normal milk stagnation or by infectious inflammation. By the way, mastitis sometimes occurs in pregnant women.

Climax

Menopausal changes in the female body also often manifest themselves in the form of pain symptoms. Since significant changes in hormonal levels occur during this period, neurosis occurs and metabolic processes in the heart muscle are disrupted. Pain in the left side of the chest is accompanied by increased sweating, short-term numbness of the fingertips, chills, and so on.

In men

Few people know about this, but men also have mammary glands. And if there are hormonal imbalances, they can increase in size and cause pain in the chest. Therefore, discomfort in the left side does not mean the presence of heart disease. Of course, this process is not as pronounced as in women (not counting oncology). This disease is called gynecomastia.

The testes and adrenal glands are responsible for the production of sex hormones in men. Consequently, diseases of these organs can lead to hormonal imbalance and provoke the development of gynecomastia.

In addition to all the pathologies described above, there are many other causes of pain in the left chest. And in most cases, only a medical examination can explain why they bother you. After all, getting rid of pain symptoms should not be helped by drugs that relieve them, but by curing the disease that became the root cause of this condition.