Poking feeling on left side of chest

Pain Under Left Breast — What Does It Mean?

Pain under the left breast can occur for many reasons, ranging from digestion problems to heart conditions. Organs like the stomach, heart, lungs, ribs, colon, spleen, and pancreas lie in the upper left region of our bodies. Therefore, if the area under your left breast hurts, it could signify problems or issues in these organs.

What Problems Cause the Pain Under the Left Breast?

Let us take a look at the possible culprits behind your left breast pain:
1. Heart Attack
A heart attack can be the reason why you feel pain and tightness under your left breast area. Our heart is located slightly left of the center of our chest. Usually, heart pain will occur in the middle of the chest. Therefore, get immediate medical attention if you have a burning or squeezing sensation in your chest.

2. Pleurisy
Pleura is a layered membrane that surrounds the lungs, which can become inflamed due to an infection or other reasons. You might feel chest pain or pain in the left breast while breathing. Usually, it goes away on its own. Still, it can signify an underlying health condition like lung cancer or rheumatoid arthritis. Therefore, visit your doctor if you suspect pleurisy.

3. Pericarditis
The pericardium is a thin, layered membrane that is filled with fluid and surrounds our heart to protect it. Infections and certain disorders can cause this membrane to become inflamed, resulting in sharp pain under the left breast, shoulders, fever, shortness of breath, and more.

4. Precordial Catch Syndrome

Injury to the chest, a growth spurt, and bad posture can irritate or pinch the nerves of the chest wall. Consequently, one feels intense pain while breathing, chest pain on the left side, etc. Although the symptoms might feel like a heart attack sometimes, they heal on their own. This is a harmless condition common among older children and young adults.

5. Costochondritis
Sometimes, pain under your left breast signifies inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to the breast bone. There is no identifiable cause, but rib cage injury, heavy lifting, infection, and arthritis are tied to this condition as possible culprits.

6. Angina
You might feel pain in the middle of your chest or under your left breast if your heart does not receive sufficient oxygen-rich blood. The discomfort might spread to your shoulders, arms, neck, and jaw.

7. Chest injuries
You can bruise or crack the left side of your rib and chest due to a blow to the chest. As a result, severe complications on the left side might occur. For instance, the edges of a broken rib can poke your liver or spleen. Therefore, you will feel tenderness and pain during deep breathing and twisting.

8. Other Reasons
Other reasons are also responsible for the pain under your breast, including inflammation in the pancreas, gastritis, heartburn, hiatal hernia, injured spleen, etc.

What to do?

Pain under the left breast can indicate multiple problems. Therefore, it is better to notice the symptoms and visit your doctor for a check-up. Octagos Health brings you this post. We offer event monitoring software solutions for cardiac patients and providers. Dial (281) 769-8733 to ask us for a demonstration or any other concerns you have.

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