Right side of chest pain under breast

Heart disease not the only reason for that feeling of angina

Although chest pain is often—and rightfully— associated with heart disease, other medical problems can be causes of chest pain. Angina—feelings of pressure, heaviness, tightness. or pain in the chest—occurs when plaque in the coronary arteries partially blocks blood flow and the heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen and nutrients. (You can learn more about angina in the Harvard Special Health Report Diseases of the Heart: A compendium of common heart condition and the latest treatments.) Yet the heart isn't the only organ in the upper abdomen, and chest pain may be due to conditions affecting the esophagus, lungs, gall bladder, or stomach.

Digestive causes of chest pain

When chest pain—particularly pain in the lower chest— is triggered by a meal, it is likely to emanate from the digestive system, rather than from the heart, and can be due to the following:

Acid reflux or heartburn. When acid from the stomach flows up into the esophagus, it can cause a burning sensation in the chest reminiscent of a feeling of angina  or often mistaken for a heart attack.

Esophageal spasm.  Sudden, forceful contractions of the esophagus, the muscular tube between the mouth and the stomach, can be painful. These spasms can also trap food in the esophagus and prevent it from passing into the stomach.

Gallbladder disease. A sudden pain that often occurs 30 minutes after you have eaten may be a sign of gallstones. Gallbladder pain is usually felt just below the breastbone and may extend to the right arm or between the shoulder blades. It occurs as the gallbladder contracts in an effort to pump bile around the gallstones that are blocking its passage to the liver.

Inflammatory causes of chest pain

Tissues in the chest cavity can become inflamed due to injury, infection, or autoimmune conditions, in which the body's immune cells attack its own tissues. Common inflammatory causes of chest pain include the following:

Costochondritis. This condition, an inflammation in the chest wall between the ribs and the breastbone, can trigger a stabbing, aching pain that's often mistaken for a heart attack. Costochondritis is commonly caused by trauma or overuse injuries, often during contact sports, or it may accompany arthritis.

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the pericardium, a protective, double-layered sac surrounding the heart. It has many different possible causes, including a virus or other infection, certain illnesses, an injury to the chest, radiation therapy for cancer, or a reaction to medications. The classic symptom of pericarditis is a sharp, stabbing pain in the center or left side of the chest that worsens when you take a deep breath or lie down. The pain results from the irritated layers of the sac rubbing together.

Lung-related causes of chest pain

The following lung conditions often produce chest pain that may feel like angina. 

Pneumonia can cause shortness of breath and sharp pains that intensify with a deep breath. Unlike angina, it is likely to be accompanied by other symptoms, like fever, chills, or coughing.

Pulmonary embolism—a blood clot that has traveled into the vessels supplying the lungs—can cause chest pain. The pain is often accompanied by a fast or irregular heartbeat, sudden difficulty breathing, or feeling lightheaded or faint. Pulmonary embolisms can be life-threatening, so the symptoms warrant a call to 911.

Psychological causes of chest pain

Both anxiety and panic attack can cause symptoms very similar to angina. These attacks—which can occur out of the blue or in response to a stressful event—include chest pain along with shortness of breath, palpitations, and dizziness. The key difference is that the chest pain is usually fleeting, lasting only a moment or two.

What to do when you're uncertain

Any time you're uncertain about the source of chest pain that is recurrent or lasts for several days, you should talk to your clinician. However, if you have chest pain that is building in intensity, has lasted for several minutes, and isn't relieved by resting, you should get immediate medical attention.

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.