Recurrent left-sided chest pain can have many causes, including heart problems, acid reflux, muscle strain, anxiety and lung conditions. While some causes are minor, repeated chest pain should not be ignored because heart-related problems can sometimes cause symptoms that come and go.
The location of chest pain alone cannot tell you what is causing it. The nature of the pain, when it occurs, how long it lasts and the symptoms that come with it are all important.
Recurrent left-sided chest pain means pain or discomfort on the left side of the chest that keeps returning. It may feel sharp, burning, aching, squeezing or like pressure.
The pain may last for a few seconds, several minutes or longer. It may occur while resting, exercising, after eating, while lying down or during stressful situations.
Common possibilities include:
Some causes are temporary and improve with simple treatment. Others need prompt medical attention.
Because chest pain can sometimes be a sign of a heart problem, recurrent or unexplained pain should be evaluated by a doctor.
There are several possible left side chest pain causes. Identifying the cause requires looking at the symptoms and the circumstances in which the pain occurs.
Heart conditions are among the most important causes to consider.
Angina happens when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It can cause pressure, tightness, heaviness or discomfort in the chest.
The pain may occur during exercise or emotional stress and improve with rest. However, symptoms can vary from person to person.
When the arteries supplying the heart become narrowed, blood flow to the heart may be reduced. This can cause recurring chest discomfort, particularly during physical activity.
In some cases, a blockage can suddenly become severe and lead to a heart attack.
Pericarditis is inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart. It can cause sharp chest pain that may become worse with deep breathing or lying down and improve when sitting up or leaning forward.
Chest discomfort can also occur with conditions such as inflammation of the heart muscle, heart valve problems or certain rhythm disorders.
Acid reflux can cause pain or burning in the chest and may sometimes feel similar to heart-related pain.
It may be more noticeable after eating, when bending over or when lying down.
People searching for left side chest pain after eating or left side chest pain while lying down at night may be experiencing reflux. However, chest pain should not automatically be assumed to be due to gas or acidity, particularly when it is new, severe or recurring.
Chest muscles can become strained after exercise, lifting, coughing or sudden movements.
Musculoskeletal chest pain may:
Pain that can be reproduced by pressing on the chest is more suggestive of a chest wall cause, but it does not completely rule out a heart problem.
Stress and anxiety can cause chest tightness, rapid heartbeat, sweating, trembling and shortness of breath.
A panic attack may cause sudden chest discomfort that can feel frightening. However, it is important not to assume that recurring chest pain is caused by anxiety without appropriate medical evaluation.
Some lung conditions can cause chest pain, particularly pain that becomes worse when breathing deeply.
Possible causes include:
Sudden chest pain with severe breathlessness requires urgent medical assessment.
Women can experience the same major heart symptoms as men, but they may also have additional symptoms.
Chest pain or discomfort remains an important symptom of heart problems in women. However, women may also experience:
This is particularly important for someone searching for left-side chest pain above the breast, female. Pain in this area can have several causes, including breast, muscle, digestive or heart-related problems.
The location of the pain alone cannot determine the cause.
Yes, gas and acid reflux can sometimes cause chest discomfort. Gas-related discomfort may be associated with bloating, burping or abdominal discomfort and may improve after passing gas.
However, it is not safe to assume that recurring left-sided chest pain is caused by gas without considering other causes.
If chest pain is new, severe, persistent or associated with breathlessness, sweating, dizziness or pain spreading to another part of the body, seek urgent medical care.
Not all heart-related chest pain is severe. Some people experience mild or intermittent symptoms.
Chest pain may be more concerning when it:
Chest pain can also come and go during a heart problem, so improvement does not always mean that the cause is harmless.
Pain in the left side of the chest and back can have several causes. Muscle strain, spinal problems, acid reflux and certain lung conditions can cause pain in both areas.
However, heart-related conditions can also cause discomfort that spreads to the back.
If chest and back pain occur suddenly, are severe or are accompanied by breathlessness, sweating, dizziness or nausea, seek emergency medical care.
Doctors diagnose recurrent chest pain by combining your symptoms, medical history, physical examination and appropriate tests.
When you visit, your doctor may ask:
Electrocardiogram (ECG): An ECG records the electrical activity of the heart. It is commonly used when a heart-related cause of chest pain is suspected.
Blood Tests: Blood tests, including cardiac troponin, may be used to look for signs of heart muscle injury when a heart attack is suspected.
Echocardiogram: An echocardiogram uses ultrasound to assess the structure and function of the heart. It may help identify certain heart conditions that can cause chest discomfort.
Stress Testing: If symptoms are related to physical activity and a stable heart condition is suspected, a stress test may be recommended to assess how the heart responds to exercise.
CT Coronary Angiography: CT coronary angiography can provide detailed images of the coronary arteries. It may be recommended for selected patients when doctors need to assess for narrowing or blockage.
Other Tests: Depending on the suspected cause, your doctor may recommend a chest X-ray, CT scan, endoscopy or other tests.
Not every person with chest pain needs every test. The evaluation is based on symptoms and the likelihood of different causes.
Treatment for left-sided chest pain depends on the underlying cause. There is no single treatment that works for every type of chest pain.
If the pain is caused by coronary artery disease or angina, treatment may include:
If a heart attack is suspected, emergency treatment is required to restore blood flow to the heart as quickly as possible.
When acid reflux is responsible, treatment may include:
Musculoskeletal chest pain may improve with rest, activity modification and appropriate pain relief.
Physical therapy may also help when muscle imbalance, posture or another musculoskeletal problem contributes to recurring pain.
When anxiety or panic attacks are contributing to chest discomfort, treatment may include relaxation techniques, counselling, stress management and medicines when required.
However, a diagnosis of anxiety should be made after considering other possible causes of recurring chest pain.
Treatment depends on the underlying lung problem. It may include medicines for infections or inflammation and urgent treatment for serious conditions such as a blood clot in the lung or a collapsed lung.
Seek emergency medical care immediately if chest pain is sudden, severe, persistent or associated with other warning symptoms.
Do not wait for the pain to disappear if you have:
Women may also experience unusual tiredness, nausea, shortness of breath or discomfort in the back, shoulder or jaw during a heart attack.
If you are unsure whether your chest pain is serious, it is safer to seek urgent medical assessment.
Recurring chest pain should not be repeatedly treated at home without understanding its cause.
Keep track of:
This information can help your doctor understand the pattern.
If the pain is recurring, unexplained or becoming more frequent, schedule a medical evaluation. If it suddenly becomes severe or occurs with warning signs of a heart attack, seek emergency care instead.
Recurrent left-sided chest pain can have many causes, but heart-related problems should always be considered. If your chest pain keeps coming back or occurs with breathlessness, sweating, dizziness or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw, seek medical evaluation promptly.
Yes. Acid reflux can cause burning or discomfort in the chest and may sometimes be felt more on the left side. It may become worse after eating or when lying down. However, heart-related chest pain can feel similar, so recurring or unexplained chest pain should be evaluated.
Muscular chest pain may worsen with certain movements or when you press on the affected area. Heart-related pain is more likely to feel like pressure, tightness, heaviness or squeezing and may occur with exercise or stress.
However, these features are not enough to diagnose the cause on their own. If you are unsure, especially if you have heart disease risk factors, seek medical advice.
Yes. Anxiety and panic attacks can cause chest tightness or pain along with a racing heartbeat, sweating, trembling or shortness of breath.
However, recurring chest pain should not automatically be attributed to anxiety. A doctor may need to rule out heart, lung and other physical causes first.
Make an appointment with a doctor or cardiologist for an evaluation, especially if the pain is unexplained or becoming more frequent.
If the pain is sudden or severe, or occurs with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, dizziness or pain spreading to the arm, back, neck or jaw, seek emergency medical care.
Yes. Chest pain or discomfort is still a common symptom of heart problems in women, but women may also experience symptoms such as shortness of breath, nausea, unusual tiredness, sweating, dizziness or pain in the back, shoulder, neck or jaw.
Because symptoms can vary, women should not ignore new or unexplained chest discomfort.
Yes. Narrowed coronary arteries can cause angina, which may appear as recurring chest discomfort, particularly during physical activity or emotional stress. The pain may improve with rest.
However, symptoms can vary, and intermittent chest pain does not rule out a serious heart problem. Medical evaluation can help determine whether blocked or narrowed arteries are responsible.
Written and Verified by:
Dr. Ashok B. Malpani is a Senior Consultant in Cardiology Dept. at BM Birla Heart Hospital, Kolkata, with over 34 years of experience. He specializes in complex angioplasty, primary angioplasty, and pacemaker implantation.
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