Pain under the left breast can be a concerning symptom. While it can be alarming, this pain is frequently attributed to conditions that are not life-threatening. This article provides general information on potential causes, but it is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Musculoskeletal Discomfort
Pain under the left breast often stems from the muscles, bones, and cartilage in the chest wall. Muscle strains, from activities like intense exercise or vigorous coughing, can cause sharp or achy pain. This pain often worsens with movement or deep breathing, and the affected muscle might be tender to the touch.
Costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone, is another common cause. It typically causes sharp, aching, or pressure-like pain, often on the left side of the breastbone. This pain can radiate to the arms and shoulders and intensifies with deep breaths, coughing, or chest movement. Applying pressure to the area also increases the pain.
Rib injuries, such as bruising or fractures, can also cause pain under the left breast. The pain is typically localized and sharp, worsening with movement, breathing, or direct pressure. These injuries can result from trauma or persistent, forceful coughing. Swelling or bruising may accompany the pain.
Digestive System Issues
Pain under the left breast can also originate from digestive system problems, where discomfort is felt in the chest due to referred pain. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or acid reflux, is a frequent culprit. This occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, causing a burning sensation behind the breastbone that can extend to the left chest.
Heartburn, a GERD symptom, is often described as a burning or squeezing sensation. It may be accompanied by an acidic taste, indigestion, or bloating. GERD pain can be sharp or tender, worsening after eating or when lying down. Antacids can sometimes provide relief.
Other digestive issues, such as stomach ulcers or trapped gas, can also cause discomfort. Stomach ulcers can lead to pain in the upper left abdomen that might radiate to the chest. Gas buildup in the colon can create pressure and pain under the left rib cage, often subsiding as it passes.
Cardiac and Lung Concerns
Heart and lung conditions can also cause pain under the left breast and require immediate attention due to their seriousness. Angina, a symptom of coronary heart disease, occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. It typically presents as tightness, squeezing, or pressure in the chest, often on the left side. This discomfort can spread to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw, or back, and may be triggered by physical activity or emotional stress.
A heart attack, a medical emergency, can cause severe chest pain. It is often described as crushing or tightening pressure in the center or left chest that lasts for more than a few minutes. This pain may radiate to the left arm, jaw, back, or stomach. Additional symptoms can include shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
Pericarditis, an inflammation of the thin sac surrounding the heart, can cause sharp or stabbing chest pain. This pain is usually felt behind the breastbone or on the left side of the chest. It often worsens with deep breathing, coughing, or lying down, and may improve when sitting up or leaning forward. Pericarditis can also be accompanied by a low-grade fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath.
Lung-related issues, such as pleurisy or pneumonia, can also cause pain under the left breast. Pleurisy, an inflammation of the lining around the lungs, leads to sharp, stabbing chest pain that intensifies with deep breaths, coughing, or sneezing. This pain may also spread to the shoulder or back. Pneumonia, a lung infection, causes sharp chest pain that worsens with breathing or coughing. Accompanying symptoms often include a cough producing mucus, fever, chills, and shortness of breath.
Neurological and Other Factors
Pain under the left breast can sometimes stem from nerve-related issues or other systemic factors. Intercostal neuralgia involves irritation or inflammation of the nerves between the ribs. This condition can cause sharp, shooting, or burning pain that follows the affected nerve’s path. The pain might be constant or occur in intermittent spasms, often worsening with movement or touch to the rib area.
Anxiety and panic attacks are also known to trigger chest pain, which can be perceived under the left breast. This pain may be sharp, stabbing, or feel like a persistent ache, pressure, or tightness. Panic attacks can also include symptoms like a racing heart, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and a feeling of impending doom. While alarming, this pain is typically not indicative of a heart problem.
Shingles, caused by the varicella-zoster virus, can affect nerves and lead to pain in the chest area, including under the left breast. The pain often precedes the characteristic rash, which appears as a band of fluid-filled blisters on one side of the body. This nerve pain can be burning, tingling, or sharp.
Recognizing Urgent Symptoms and When to Seek Help
While many causes of pain under the left breast are not severe, it is important to recognize symptoms that warrant immediate medical attention. Sudden, severe, or unexplained chest pain, especially if it lasts more than a few minutes, should prompt urgent evaluation. Any chest pain accompanied by pressure, squeezing, or tightness across the chest is a serious concern.
It is crucial to seek emergency medical help if the pain radiates to other areas such as the left arm, jaw, neck, back, or stomach. Other red flag symptoms include shortness of breath, dizziness, lightheadedness, sweating, nausea, or vomiting alongside the chest pain. A rapid heartbeat, feeling faint, or a sudden sense of unwellness also necessitate immediate care.
Contacting emergency services (such as 911) is advisable for any severe or concerning symptoms. These could indicate a life-threatening condition like a heart attack or pulmonary embolism. Any new, persistent, or worsening pain under the left breast should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.