Experiencing pain below left breast can feel alarming. Many people immediately worry about a heart attack when they feel discomfort in their left chest. While a heart attack is a serious concern, 60% to 90% of chest pain cases are not heart-related.
Often, pain under the left breast stems from other causes, like digestive issues or muscle strain. This guide explores various causes of pain under the left breast, offers relief strategies, and helps you know when to seek medical attention for your symptoms. Understanding these causes can bring peace of mind.
Key Takeaways
Many things can cause pain below your left breast. It is not always a heart attack. Other causes include stomach problems, muscle strain, or breast issues.
Know the signs of a heart attack. These include chest pain that spreads, trouble breathing, or feeling sick. Call 911 right away if you have these signs.
You can ease some pain at home. Try gentle exercises, heat packs, or changing what you eat. Over-the-counter medicines can also help.
See a doctor if your pain is severe or does not go away. Also, see a doctor if you have new or worrying symptoms. They can find out what is wrong and help you feel better.
Is It a Heart Attack?
Feeling pain below your left breast often makes you think of a heart attack. It is a serious concern. Knowing the signs of a heart attack is very important. You can then act quickly if needed. Not all chest pain means a heart attack, but you must know the difference. Your heart is a vital organ. Understanding its warning signals can save a life.
Heart Attack Symptoms
Heart attack symptoms can vary. They can feel different for men and women. You should know what to look for.
For Men:
Chest discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest. This discomfort lasts more than a few minutes. It might go away and come back. You might feel uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. This chest pain can be severe.
Pain in other body areas: You might feel discomfort in one or both arms. This can also happen in your back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
Shortness of breath: This can happen with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: You might break out in a cold sweat. You could feel nauseous or lightheaded. Some men report numbness in their arms. You might also feel unexplained anxiety, weakness, or fatigue.
For Women: Women often experience different or more subtle symptoms. While chest pain is still common, it might feel like an ache or tightness. It may not be the “crushing chest pain” often described.
Chest pain or discomfort: This can feel like pressure, squeezing, or fullness. It lasts more than a few minutes or comes and goes.
Shortness of breath: This is a common symptom for women. It can happen with or without chest discomfort.
Nausea or vomiting: You might feel sick to your stomach.
Lightheadedness: You could feel dizzy.
Extreme fatigue: You might feel unusually tired for no clear reason.
Pain in other body areas: You might feel pain in your upper back, neck, or jaw. Discomfort can also appear in one or both arms. Some women describe upper back pressure like a rope being tied around them.
Other signs: You might break out in a cold sweat. You could also feel anxiety or indigestion.
If you experience these symptoms, especially if they are new or severe, your heart might be in distress.
Emergency Action
If you think you or someone else is having a heart attack, act fast. Every minute counts for your heart. Do not delay.
Call Emergency Services Immediately: Dial your local emergency number, like 911. Clearly describe the situation. Tell them about the symptoms, especially chest pain.
Stay Calm and Still: Encourage the person to sit down. Bending the knees slightly can ease strain on the heart. Try to keep them calm.
Administer Aspirin (if appropriate): If the person is conscious and not allergic to aspirin, give them a standard dose (usually 300 mg). They should chew and swallow it. Aspirin helps thin the blood.
Assist with Nitroglycerin (if prescribed): If the person has prescribed nitroglycerin for a heart condition, help them take it as directed. Do not give nitroglycerin if it is not prescribed for them.
Monitor and Reassure: Stay with the person. Offer reassurance. Watch their breathing, consciousness, and overall condition. If they lose pulse or become unresponsive, and you are trained, begin CPR.
You must seek emergency medical care right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital. Let emergency medical professionals help you.
Causes of Pain Below Left Breast
Many different conditions can cause pain below left breast. You need to understand these common causes of pain. This helps you know what might be happening. You can then decide if you need medical help.
Heart-Related Conditions
Beyond a heart attack, other heart-related conditions can cause pain under the left breast. These heart-related causes need your attention.
Angina: This is chest pain. It happens when your heart does not get enough oxygen. You might feel squeezing, pressure, fullness, or burning. This pain can spread to your neck, jaw, back, shoulder, or arms. Stable angina usually stops with rest or medicine. Unstable angina is more severe. It lasts longer than 20 minutes. It does not go away with rest or medicine. These are important symptoms of angina.
Angina
Heart Attack
Episodes usually last a few minutes, typically no more than 5 minutes
Pain usually lasts for more than half an hour or may come and go several times
Pain typically subsides with rest and/or medication (in the case of stable angina)
Pain is constant or worsening
Angina pain often starts with physical effort. Rest or medicine can relieve it. Heart attack pain is more intense. It can happen at rest. It will not improve with rest or angina medicine.
Pericarditis: This is inflammation of the tissue around your heart. It causes sudden, sharp chest pain. The pain gets worse when you lie down or breathe deeply. It can feel like a heart attack.
Digestive Issues
Digestive problems are common causes of pain under the left breast.
Heartburn: Stomach acid can go up your food pipe. This causes a burning feeling in your chest or throat. Sometimes, you feel pain under the left breast. This can happen after eating or when lying down.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD): This condition can cause intense chest pain. Some people describe it as pain under the left rib cage. This pain can be sharp or burning. It is usually behind or below your breastbone. It is less likely to spread to your left arm. This helps tell it apart from heart pain.
Gastritis: This is inflammation of your stomach lining. You might feel a sharp, stabbing, or burning pain under the left breast. You may also have nausea, vomiting, or bloating.
Pancreatitis: This is inflammation of your pancreas. Acute pancreatitis causes sudden, severe pain under the left breast and in your upper abdomen. You might also have nausea, vomiting, and fever.
Musculoskeletal Pain
Pain below left breast can come from your muscles or bones.
Costochondritis: This is inflammation of the cartilage that connects your ribs to your breastbone. You feel tenderness under the left breast. The pain can be sharp or dull. It can start suddenly or slowly. It may worsen with deep breathing, coughing, or certain movements.
Muscle Strain: You can strain chest muscles from exercise, poor posture, or injury. This causes pain under the left breast.
Intercostal Neuralgia: This is irritation of nerves between your ribs. It causes sharp, burning, or aching pain along your rib cage.
Breast-Related Concerns
Sometimes, the pain below left breast comes from the breast itself.
Injuries: Bruises, aches, or scar tissue from an injury can cause pain.
Breast Surgery: Pain can occur during healing from surgery. This includes burning or sharp nerve pains.
Milk Duct Conditions: Infections like mastitis or clogged milk ducts cause pain, tenderness, and swelling.
Hormonal Changes: Your menstrual cycle, birth control, or hormone therapy can cause breast tenderness and pain.
Lumps: Any new lump in your breast needs a doctor’s check.
Pregnancy: Hormonal changes during pregnancy make breasts tender and full.
Left-sided Breast Cancer: Some types, like inflammatory breast cancer, can cause pain, redness, and swelling. This can happen even without a lump.
Other Potential Causes of Pain Under Left Breast
You might experience pain under the left breast from conditions not directly related to your heart, digestion, or muscles. These potential causes can also create discomfort. Understanding them helps you identify what might be happening.
Anxiety and Panic
Anxiety and panic attacks can cause significant chest pain. This pain often feels like it is on your left side. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline release during these times.
These hormones make your muscles tighten. This tension in your chest muscles leads to localized pain. Your body’s “fight-or-flight” response causes these changes. Frequent stress can prevent your body from recovering. This leads to increased muscle tension and pain. You might also feel a faster heart rate and stronger heartbeats.
These combine with tight chest muscles to cause unusual pain. Anxiety-induced chest pain often feels sharp and sudden. It can happen even when you are resting.
Nerve Pain (Shingles)
Nerve pain can also cause discomfort. Shingles is one such cause. It happens when the varicella-zoster virus reactivates. This virus affects nerves, often causing pain under the left breast. Specifically, it can affect the T5 nerve, which services skin under your breast.
Shingles causes localized nerve pain and a blistering rash. This rash appears as a band of painful blisters. It develops abruptly on one side of your body. It never crosses the midline.
The symptoms of shingles follow phases:
Prodromal phase: You might feel tingling or pain a few days before the rash appears. You could also have a headache or fever.
Acute phase: Bumps develop into fluid-filled blisters. The pain intensifies.
Eruptive phase: Blisters merge, burst, and form open sores. These sores then crust over. The pain can be severe because raw nerves are exposed.
Healing phase: Sores heal over weeks. Pain, called postherpetic neuralgia, can last for weeks or even become permanent.
Lung and Pleural Issues
Problems with your lungs or the lining around them can also cause pain under the left breast. Pleurisy, or pleuritis, is one example. This happens when the lining around your lungs becomes inflamed.
The inflamed layers rub together. This causes sharp pain. You might describe this pain as sharp, stabbing, or knife-like. It often gets worse when you breathe deeply or cough. This pain can sometimes spread to your shoulder or back. Other lung-related causes of pain include:
Lung cancer
Mesothelioma
Tuberculosis
Asbestosis
Pulmonary embolism (a blood clot in your lung)
Relief for Pain Under Left Breast
You can often find relief for pain under the left breast with simple steps. The right treatment depends on the cause. You can manage many types of discomfort at home. These treatments help you feel better.
Home Remedies
You can try several home remedies for pain under the left breast, especially if it comes from muscles or bones. These treatments offer comfort.
Physiotherapy Exercises: These exercises help stretch and strengthen your chest muscles.
Open book: Lie on your side. Bring your upper arm in an arc behind you. Follow it with your eyes. Do 5 repetitions on each side.
Standing pec stretch: Stand in a door frame. Place your hands on the frame, one high and one hip-height. Move your body forward to feel a chest stretch. Hold for 5 breaths. Alternate arms.
Corner stretch: Stand facing a corner. Press your hands into the walls at chest height. Push forward to stretch your chest. Hold for 10 seconds.
Hands behind the head stretch: Sit or stand. Interlace your fingers behind your head. Squeeze your shoulder blades. Push your chest out. Hold for 5-10 breaths.
Active / assisted flexion: Lie or stand. Slowly raise both arms in front of you as far as possible, thumbs pointing up.
Other Helpful Home Remedies:
Topical heat therapy: Use microwave pillow heat pads or hot water bottles. Make sure they are comfortable and not too hot. This treatment can soothe muscles.
Gentle massage: Apply massage to your neck and shoulder area.
Ice packs: You can use ice packs instead of or with heat packs. Alternating use often helps. This treatment reduces inflammation.
Lifestyle Changes
Making changes to your daily habits can greatly reduce pain under the left breast, especially if digestive issues cause it. These lifestyle treatments are effective.
Eat smaller meals.
Avoid late-night snacks.
Reduce fatty or spicy foods.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Elevate your head while sleeping to prevent acid reflux.
Avoid known irritants such as NSAIDs, alcohol, and spicy foods.
Manage stress.
Eat a balanced diet.
Limit alcohol consumption.
Manage triglyceride levels.
Avoid lying down or bending over after meals.
Avoid foods that trigger heartburn. These simple treatments can make a big difference.
When to Worry About Pain Under the Left Breast
Pain under the left breast can sometimes signal a serious problem. You must know when to seek medical help. Understanding these warning signs can protect your health. Do not ignore your body’s signals.
Red Flag Symptoms
Certain symptoms with pain under the left breast mean you need immediate medical attention. These are “red flag” symptoms. They suggest a more serious condition, possibly involving your heart.
Pain that spreads: Your pain might spread to your left arm, shoulder, or jaw. This can mean angina or a heart attack.
Trouble breathing: You might have difficulty breathing. This is especially true if it happens with pain under the left breast. It could point to heart failure or other serious conditions.
Chest tightness or pressure: You feel tightness or pressure along with aching under the left breast. This suggests coronary artery disease or a heart attack.
Irregular heartbeat: You might feel your heart racing or skipping beats. This can happen with pain. It could mean an arrhythmia.
Swelling: You notice swelling in your legs or abdomen. This, with pain under the left breast, can be a sign of heart failure.
Persistent pain: Your pain does not get better after a few days. It might even get worse. This is a concern.
Sudden, severe chest pain: This type of chest pain needs quick attention.
Nausea or cold sweat: These symptoms with chest pain are serious.
Recent chest injury: Pain after a chest injury needs checking.
Pain with other symptoms: Chest pain with nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, or left arm pain can mean angina, a heart attack, pericarditis, pulmonary embolism, or pneumothorax.
When to See a Doctor
You should always take chest pain seriously. If you experience any of the red flag symptoms, call emergency services right away. Do not try to drive yourself to the hospital.
Severe chest pain or pressure: This needs immediate help.
Pain spreading: Your pain spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back.
Shortness of breath: You find it hard to breathe.
Nausea or vomiting: You feel sick to your stomach.
Dizziness or lightheadedness: You feel faint.
Rapid or irregular heartbeat: Your heart beats too fast or unevenly.
Sweating for no apparent reason: You sweat a lot without effort.
If your pain has been consistent for an hour, seek medical attention soon. This is true even if it is not getting worse. Always be cautious with chest pain. A doctor can properly evaluate your symptoms. They can provide the right treatment. Call emergency services if your condition worsens.
You should also see a doctor for:
Any sudden, abnormal, or debilitating pain.
Tightness or pressure in your chest. This is especially important if you have heart problems. It is also serious if it comes with sweating, nausea, and shortness of breath.
Trouble breathing.
An injury to your chest.
Changes in your stools. This includes inability to pass them, or if they look bloody, oily, or tar-like.
Pain that doesn’t improve with rest or spreads to other body parts.
If you experience chest pain or pressure that lasts more than a few minutes, call 911. This is especially important if it feels different from previous pain. Look for heart attack warning signs. You should consult a cardiologist if you have ongoing concerns about your heart. You should also consult a cardiologist if you have a family history of heart disease. If you have risk factors for heart disease, consult a cardiologist for regular check-ups. You should also consult a cardiologist if you have new or worsening symptoms.
Preparing for Your Visit
When you visit the doctor, be ready to share important information. This helps them understand your symptoms and find the right treatment.
Describe your symptoms: Tell the doctor exactly what you feel. When did the pain start? How long does it last? What makes it better or worse?
List your medications: Bring a list of all medicines you take. Include over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
Share your medical history: Tell your doctor about any past health problems. Mention any family history of heart disease.
Ask questions: Write down any questions you have. This ensures you get all the information you need.
Your doctor will perform an exam. They might order tests. These tests help find the cause of your pain under the left breast. They will then recommend the best treatment plan for you.
Pain below left breast can feel scary, but often less serious conditions are the causes. Do not self-diagnose. Seek professional medical advice for persistent or concerning symptoms. You now understand various causes of pain below left breast and how to recognize serious signs. Listen to your body. Prioritize your health by consulting a healthcare provider when in doubt about these causes.
