24-Hour Holter Monitoring for Identification of an Ideal Ventricular ...
What's Causing Pain In The Left Side Of My Chest?
We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Here's our process.
Healthline only shows you brands and products that we stand behind.
Our team thoroughly researches and evaluates the recommendations we make on our site. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we:Was this helpful?
If you have chest pain on the left side, your first thought may be that you're having a heart attack. While chest pain can indeed be a symptom of heart problems, that's not always the case.
Keep reading to learn more about the causes of pain in the left side of the chest, the accompanying symptoms, suggestions for actions you can take to address each, and other signs of a heart disease or heart attack,
Chest pain, or chest heaviness, in general is a concern for heart attack or other life-threatening condition for which every minute matters. Call 911 or your local emergency services if you or someone near you has unexplained left sided or generalized chest pain along with:
Several conditions can cause pain in the left side of your chest. They range from benign to potentially life threatening. If you're ever in doubt about the potential cause of the pain in the left side of your chest, you should seek emergency medical services immediately.
Below are some common causes of left sided chest pain.
Angina isn't a disease. Instead, it's often a symptom of coronary heart disease, though other heart conditions may also cause it to occur. Angina is the chest pain, chest heaviness, discomfort, or pressure you get when your heart muscle isn't getting enough oxygen from blood. The pain and discomfort typically include your left arm, left shoulder, left side of your neck, and left side of your jaw. You might also have discomfort in your back.
It's crucial that the underlying condition is properly diagnosed and treated. Diagnostic testing may include:
Treatment will depend on the cause, and may include medication, lifestyle changes, and cardiac procedures as necessary.
A heart attack is when the heart muscle is damaged because it can't get enough oxygen-rich blood. Some heart attacks start with mild chest pain that builds up slowly. They can also start quite abruptly, with intense pain on the left side or center of your chest. Other symptoms of heart attack can include:
Symptoms of heart attack vary from person to person. Both men and women can experience chest pain or discomfort, gassiness or heartburn, shortness of breath, or pain and discomfort in the shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. However, women are more likely to experience:
If you or someone near you experiences these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. With a heart attack, every second counts. The longer the heart muscle is deprived of oxygen, the greater the chances that the damage will be permanent.
Emergency care can begin as soon as medical personnel arrive. After a hospital stay, you may need to continue medication. Lifestyle modifications can include:
Myocarditis is a rare cause of cardiovascular disease that is caused by inflammation in the heart. Doctors often cannot identify a cause, but when they can, the cause is typically an viral infection.
Chest pain can be an indication that your heart muscle is inflamed. Other symptoms include:
Myocarditis can affect your heart's electrical system, weakening your heart or causing permanent damage to the heart muscle. In some cases, a person can experience cardiac arrest or death.
Mild cases sometimes improve without treatment, but severe cases may require medication. Treatment depends on the cause.
Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle or enlarged heart. It's possible to have cardiomyopathy without symptoms, but it can also cause chest pain. Other symptoms can include:
Treatment involves medications, cardiac procedures, and surgery. Certain lifestyle changes may help, too. These can include:
The pericardium is the two thin layers of tissue that surround your heart to help keep it in place. When this area becomes inflamed or irritated, it's known as pericarditis.
Pericarditis can cause a sharp stabbing pain on the left side or middle of your chest. You might also have pain in one or both shoulders.
You may experience pericarditis due to infections, heart surgery, heart attack, injury, or medications.
It may be mild and even clear up on its own, but it can sometimes lead to heart abnormalities that can be fatal. Treatment depends on the underlying cause.
Panic attacks come on abruptly and tend to peak within 10 minutes. Due to chest pain, chest tightness, and other symptoms, a panic attack can simulate a heart attack. In addition to chest pain, some other symptoms are:
If you think you've had a panic attack, see a doctor. Other health problems, such as heart and thyroid disorders, can produce similar symptoms, so you want to be certain of the diagnosis.
How to ease a panic attackPanic disorder is a mental health problem that can be treated. Your doctor may recommend psychotherapy or cognitive behavioral therapy. If it's an ongoing problem, there are some medications that might help.
In order to ease a panic attack, you might find it helpful to:
Heartburn is the chest pain and discomfort you get when digestive acid flows up into your esophagus (acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux). You might also have:
Heartburn generally happens fairly soon after you've eaten. It can also happen when you lie down within a few hours of eating. It can even wake you from a sound sleep.
Acid reflux can sometimes progress to a more severe form called gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The main symptom of GERD is frequent heartburn. In addition to chest pain, GERD can also cause coughing, wheezing, and trouble swallowing.
Treating heartburnYou can usually ease heartburn with over-the-counter antacids. A doctor can prescribe a stronger medication if necessary. If you have frequent heartburn, it might help to:
A hiatal hernia is when the upper part of your stomach pushes through the large muscle between your abdomen and chest (diaphragm). Symptoms can include:
You can ease symptoms by:
You may not need any treatment, but see a doctor if symptoms persist.
Chest pain can mean that there's something wrong with your esophagus. For example:
Treatment depends on cause. An esophageal rupture must be surgically repaired.
Chest pain can be the result of pulled, strained, or sprained muscles in your chest or between the ribs. Any injury to your chest can cause chest pain. This includes:
This type of injury may also cause pain when you take a deep breath or cough.
If you believe you've broken a bone, see a doctor right away. It can take about 10 weeks to improve and even longer to fully recover. In the meantime, you'll have to avoid strenuous activity.
Sudden and sharp pain on either side of your chest could be the result of a collapsed lung (pneumothorax). This can be due to disease or from trauma to your chest. Other symptoms can include:
Treatment will depend on the cause, but it's important to seek medical help immediately.
Sharp or stabbing chest pain that worsens when you take a deep breath or cough could mean you have pneumonia, especially if you've recently had a respiratory illness such as bronchitis or influenza.
Other symptoms may include:
See a doctor if you think you have pneumonia. In the meantime, get plenty of rest and drink a lot of fluids. Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antivirals. In severe cases, hospitalization may be necessary.
Chest pain can sometimes be a symptom of lung cancer. Other and symptoms may include:
Symptoms may not appear in early stage lung cancer. In general, the sooner you receive a diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcome.
Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in your lungs. In addition to chest pain, it can cause:
As the disease progresses, it can lead to irregular heartbeat and racing pulse. Untreated, it can lead to heart failure.
A sudden, sharp chest pain can be an indication of pulmonary embolism (PE). PE is a blood clot in your lungs. Other symptoms may include:
This is a medical emergency that calls for immediate treatment.
How do I know if my chest pain is serious?Sudden chest pain is a serious symptom. Call 911 if you or someone near you is experiencing a feeling of pain, pressure, or tightening of the chest. Other potential symptoms include:
According to the CDC, most heart attacks involve discomfort in the middle or left side of your chest that lasts for more than a couple of minutes. The discomfort may go away and then return again.
If you or someone you know is experiencing pain or discomfort anywhere in their chest, call 911 immediately.
Should I go to hospital for left chest pain?Chest pain or discomfort is one of the primary symptoms of a heart attack. If you're experiencing any kind of chest pain, call 911 and follow the dispatcher's instructions.
If other people are around, ask them to stay with you until emergency medical services (EMS) workers arrive. Calling 911 is typically the best path to emergency care as EMS workers can revive people who may be experiencing heart attacks and transport you faster than a friend might to the hospital.
How do you know if your chest pain is muscular or heart-related?Heart pain and muscular chest pain can be similar, but there are some key differences.
Heart pain may feel more like a sensation of tightness or pressure across the chest. In some cases, a sharp pain may radiate down your neck, jaws, arms, and shoulders. You may also experience shortness of breast, dizziness, sweating, nausea, and an irregular heart beat. Heart pain does not change when you take a deep breath. A lot of times, heart pain worsens with activity or exertion.
Muscular chest pain that occurs as a result of a strain or over-use may feel sharp or achy. The muscle that has been strained may also be tender to the touch and feel worse with movement or coughing. Deep breathing may also cause shooting pain if the strained muscle is near your lungs.
Several conditions share symptoms that include chest pain. If you have chest pain for no known reason, consult with a doctor so you can start working toward a diagnosis.
Sudden chest pain accompanied by symptoms such as trouble breathing, pressure on your chest, and dizziness could signal a life-threatening emergency. Call 911 immediately.
10 Possible Causes Of Chest Pain That Comes And Goes
Pain in the chest that comes and goes may signal a problem with the heart, respiratory system, or digestion. Also, in some people, it occurs during panic attacks.
There is no way to accurately self-diagnose chest pain based on symptoms alone. A person should contact a doctor if chest pain keeps coming back, gets worse, or accompanies other symptoms.
Pain that lasts for weeks or months is unlikely to be caused by a life-threatening emergency. The issue is more likely related to the muscles or skeletal structure.
Chest pain due to a heart attack is a medical emergency. It can cause symptoms such as:
Many types of chest pain come and go. Even the pain of a heart attack may temporarily get better, then return.
To better understand the cause of chest pain, look carefully for other symptoms, and keep in mind any risk factors for medical conditions.
Below are some possible causes of chest pain.
Heart attackSudden, intense pain in the chest may indicate a heart attack or cardiac arrest. These result when faulty electrical impulses or blockages stop blood from reaching the heart.
Warning signs of a heart attack include:
Symptoms may differ, based on sex. People assigned female at birth are more likely than people assigned male at birth to also experience:
A heart attack is a medical emergency. If a person suspects that they are having one, or if they experience any new, unexplained chest pain, they should contact emergency services right away.
Certain factors can increase a person's risk of heart attack. These include:
Learn more about how to spot and treat a heart attack.
AnginaAngina is pain or discomfort in the chest that occurs when the heart does not get enough blood. People with angina may feel tension, pressure, or a squeezing sensation in the chest. The pain may also radiate to the jaw.
The pain of angina is similar to that of a heart attack, and angina is a risk factor for the condition.
Angina can be a symptom of coronary heart disease (CHD), which occurs when the arteries become clogged. CHD is also a risk factor for a heart attack. Anyone who suspects that they have it should contact a doctor as soon as possible.
Learn more about angina.
Gastrointestinal problemsA wide variety of gastrointestinal problems can lead to pain in the chest or near the ribs. For example:
When a person has acid reflux, chest pain tends to be more intense shortly after a meal. Also, it may be worse after consuming alcohol or fatty foods.
If a person suspects that chest pain is related to a stomach or liver issue, it is important to see a doctor. However, this type of pain does not usually signal an emergency.
Muscle painMuscle pain caused by tension, an injury, or a chronic pain syndrome often underlies chest pain.
Symptoms of muscle pain vary greatly. The pain may be:
Chest pain is more likely to be muscle-related if it:
Chest pain can be a frightening symptom of a panic attack, and it may make a person feel more anxious. The pain can be similar to that of a heart attack.
Other symptoms a person may experience during a panic attack include:
These attacks can go away with slow, deep breathing. In some cases, they may last for only a few minutes, though they may last up to 30 minutes or more.
If the pain does not go away, it can be difficult to distinguish a panic attack from a heart attack without the help of a doctor.
Learn about how to stop a panic attack.
Lung issuesProblems with the lungs can lead to chest pain.
Chest pain due to lung issues may:
Experiencing intense, lung-related chest pain is a medical emergency. It is best to seek immediate medical advice if a person is concerned about chest pain related to the lungs.
Respiratory infectionRespiratory infections can cause chest pain.
Some people develop a condition called pleurisy following a respiratory infection. Pleurisy is inflammation of the pleura, which is the tissue that wraps around the outside of the lungs.
It is best to contact a doctor if chest or lung pain lingers after a respiratory infection.
MastitisMastitis refers to an infection in breast tissue. Mastitis can be intensely painful. A person may experience:
Mastitis is common during breastfeeding due to the buildup of milk. The infection may clear up on its own, though some people require antibiotics.
Learn more about mastitis.
BreastfeedingAs well as mastitis, there are other possible causes of chest pain when breastfeeding or nursing. It can lead to pain in the chest and around the breasts.
This can happen due to:
A person's doctor can help determine the cause of the pain and advise on any necessary treatments.
Pulmonary embolismA pulmonary embolism is a blockage in a blood vessel that leads to the lungs. An embolism occurs when a blood clot has broken loose, often from the legs. If a person has a blood clot in a leg, they may experience pain in the area.
Pulmonary embolisms can also result in intense chest pain and shortness of breath. They are life-threatening medical emergencies.
Other symptoms can include:
13 Heart-opening Yoga Poses To Relieve The Anahata Chakra
Heart-opening yoga poses or chest openers are exactly what they sound like, and if you've ever attended a professional yoga class or even referred to YouTube tutorials, you have surely heard the term! They involve stretching the chest area to relieve the physical and metaphorical blockages around the heart. Many of these poses involve backbends (like your classic cat-cow pose) or melting the heart (think child's pose), and they range from easy-peasy resting poses to more intense, advanced-level stretches.
In essence, these yoga poses are targeted at the Anahata chakra, also known as the heart chakra, and aim to relieve it from the exhaustion of daily life. More spiritually, expert yogis and traditionalists believe the region to be the center of love, compassion, empathy, purity, kindness, and forgiveness. Let us explore the benefits of heart openers, and why we need to incorporate them into our daily workout routine.
5 Benefits of Heart-opening Yoga Poses 1. Help Correct Your PostureIf we look at yoga heart openers from a strictly physical perspective, then the aim is to counterbalance the effects of slouching or having a static posture in one's day-to-day life. A sedentary lifestyle consisting of poor posture, excessive screen time, lack of exercise, stress, etc. Can cause much musculoskeletal discomfort, pain in the neck and shoulders, and even severe spinal disorders (1). Chest opening poses, especially the ones that involve backbends and shoulder stretches swoop in as a savior in such cases, liberate your muscles, and provide immense relief.
2. Clear the Heart ChakraDaily stressors have a metaphorical "oxidative" effect on our heart chakra, making us feel tired, numb, apathetic, sluggish, and all in all, blocked up! In some severe cases, it can cause feelings of cynicism, defensiveness, envy, loneliness, lack of trust, or even emptiness. However, anecdotal evidence suggests that people who practice heart chakra yoga poses experience relief from such feelings or lack thereof. With regular practice and periodical advancements, people are even able to broaden their perspective, experience a sense of freedom, and embody virtues such as empathy.
3. Support Deep BreathingStudies have shown that standing yoga poses with chest opening movements have a positive effect on one's breathing capacity. Such asanas support one's lung capacity for drawing and holding air before exhalation (2), (3). This is the reason why many people feel fresh and elevated right after a heart-opening pose. And, regular practitioners will agree that if they do one such pose, they crave practicing more of them!
4. Energize the Body And MindLike any other physical movement, these poses in yoga also have a considerable effect on blood circulation. Adding to that, studies speculate that chest openers positively impact the vagal tone of one's body. These factors thereby result in energizing the body, improving one's physical capabilities, and making one feel more active (2). Moreover, considering that these heart-opening poses improve one's posture, they have a positive effect on one's confidence and subjective energy (4), (5).
5. Enhance MoodNumerous studies have proven the commendable benefits of yoga poses for mood and emotional well-being, and heart-opening poses are no exception. These poses effectively alleviate anxiety, reduce sluggishness, and make one feel more at ease and peace. Regular practitioners of heart chakra yoga would all agree on its impact on mood enhancement, and you can try it yourself to get to this verdict!
Having said so, one can incorporate heart-openers in their daily yoga practice through numerous poses — ranging from effortless to more challenging and advanced poses.
Read on to see some of the best and most common yoga poses to open up your heart and calm your inhibitions.
13 Heart Opening Yoga Poses to Clear Blockages in the Chest Area 1. Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)A common pose lying at the "heart" of every vinyasa flow, the cobra pose can be considered a quintessential example of what a heart-opener looks and feels like. The best part—almost anyone can do it! To perfect this pose, start by lying flat on your belly and keep your feet hip-distance apart. While the tendency here is to curl up on the feet, the correct way is to press all your ten toes firmly into the mat. Then, place your arms shoulder-width apart on the mat, press firmly to lift your chest, and curve your back and neck in a smooth arch.
2. Upward-facing Dog (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)In this pose, you find yourself balancing only on the tips of your feet and the palms while lifting the rest of your body from the yoga mat. One significant difference—unlike how many people practice the cobra pose, in an upward-facing dog, your palms are placed right underneath your shoulders at a 90° angle. Getting to this pose requires some practice, and can be achieved by regularly incorporating vinyasa circuits in your workout routine.
3. Cat-Cow Pose (Bitilasana)The humble cat-cow pose is a simple, albeit supremely beneficial pose for various reasons. To do this, you need to start with the table-top yoga pose, ensuring that your wrists are directly underneath the shoulders and knees are directly underneath the hips. Then, without bending your elbows, inhale deeply and curve your back in a way that pushes your belly low and lifts your chin and glutes upwards.
4. Locust Pose (Salabhasana)Perfect for people who sit for long hours and get only little physical movement daily, this pose can counteract the negative effects by stimulating almost all parts of the body. Hence, there's no wonder that this pose resembles something called a "superhero" pose, that you may have practiced outside your yoga class. To do this, start by lying flat on the mat, with your feet hip-width apart and arms resting at the sides of your body. Then, lift your limbs together and balance your body on the belly to open up your heart.
5. Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)Coming to a more intermediate yoga movement, we speak about the dhanurasana, literally translated as "bow pose". Similar to the locust pose, you involve all parts of your body to do this lucrative, chest-opening stretch. When in the locust pose, start by catching hold of your ankles with your hands. You'll notice that your knees bend towards your glutes in the process—don't resist it. Once you feel a little stable, lift your chest and chin upwards, as well as your feet, so your entire body is balanced on your belly. Hold for a couple of breaths before you let go.
6. Sphinx Pose (Salamba Bhujanganasana)Another simple heat-opener to the list. The sphinx pose is a highly recommended one as it empowers you without exhausting your resources or coming off as too difficult. Many people confuse this pose for a cobra pose, however, there's a difference. In this one, you support the pose by placing your hands—up to the elbows on the mat. This way, you'll notice that you're able to lift a little taller, from your diaphragm, and can arch the whole spine instead of just the upper back.
7. Extended Child's Pose (Balasana)If you were expecting heart-openers to consist of only advanced and difficult poses, then here's a pleasant surprise for you! The humble extended child's pose, which is indeed a resting posture, works wonders in opening your heart chakra. This one feels good in the back too, without arching it for a change! For this, start with a table-top pose and extend your knees as wide as the mat, without moving the feet. Then, melt your heart onto the ground, while tracing your arms forward onto the mat. Doing this right after a challenging sequence is indeed the most sublime experience!
8. Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)Not just a heart-opener, the classic setu bandhasana is also a hip-opening yoga pose that helps with enhancing balance, mobility, and strength. It is one of those challenging, yet doable poses that you start by first lying on your back, with your hands parallel to your body. Fold your knees in a way that your feet are directly underneath them, placed firmly on the mat. Inhale and pull your belly button in while lifting your lower back, glutes, and thighs up in the air. You can support this pose by clasping your hands or placing them straight, right underneath your back. One can count on this pose to not just relieve tension from their heart space, but also relieve fatigue from the back and hips.
9. Reverse Warrior Pose (Viparita Virabhadrasana)For some practitioners, a reverse warrior pose is a deep, palliating stretch that they look forward to. While opening up the heart chakra, this yoga pose also melts away stressors from your obliques, limbs, back, and side body. All you need to do is lift your forward-extending arm in the warrior pose up towards the sky in a circular motion. Simultaneously, bring the hind arm to touch the shin of your hind leg. This helps tone your body, thereby strengthening your hips, obliques, limbs, and side body.
10. Camel Pose (Ustrasana)A quintessential heart-opening yoga pose that involves a backbend and lengthens the spine, the camel pose makes an excellent addition to the workout routine of an intermediate-level yogi. A study published on ResearchGate speculates that such spine extension and chest-opening poses benefit a singer's vocal and overall physical health (6). To achieve this pose, start on your knees parallel placed on the mat. Clasp your hands at the base of the spine; then slowly and carefully bend backward, till you get hold of your ankles in your respective hands. Ensure you take moderate to deep breaths to stabilize your body in the pose.
11. Reverse Table-top Pose (Ardha Purvottanasana)An excellent heart exercise and a great way to jazz up your regular table-top pose, the reverse table-top pose is something yogis of all levels should give a try. To do this, start in a simple seated position with your knees folded in front of you, and your back straight. Extend both your arms backward, keep them parallel, and press your palms firmly onto the mat. Likewise, press your feet firmly onto the mat and lift your chest, abs, glutes, and thighs in the air. Hold for about 5 breaths before you release the pose.
12. Fish Pose (Matsyasana)This pose is an incredible heart chakra exercise for people who sit at their desks for long hours and could use some spinal relief without exhausting the body too much. Hence, this is a common cool-down pose, especially for yin yoga routines. To do this, start by laying flat on the mat, on your back. Keep your forearms parallel, but slightly underneath your backs for support (think bridge pose). Then, gently lift your chest and lower your head onto the floor. Be careful not to crunch your neck or add too much weight onto your head; you need to leverage energy and balance from your core.
13. Crescent Lunge with Cactus Arms (Anjaneyasana)This is a common pose in vinyasa yoga flows and stimulates almost your entire body when you practice this — a perfect heart-opener! Start from a downward dog pose, lift one leg high into the sky, and place your foot forward by tracing your front body (without touching it) with your knee. Find your balance, and carefully lift yourself in that position, ensuring that the back foot is balancing on the toes. Once stable, open up your arms on both sides with the elbows bent at a 90° angle. Bend your back behind slightly, and rejuvenate in the release of stressors.
Who Should Avoid Chest Opening Yoga?While there are no proven downsides to heart-opening yoga poses, there are certain conditions when people should avoid pushing themselves too hard in this pose.
1. Absolute Beginners in Yoga: A complete yoga novice may lack the flexibility and stability of an intermediate or advanced-level yogi. Hence, jumping head first into a heart chakra pose, such as an upward-facing dog or reverse table-top yoga pose may not be a wise decision. However, not all chest openers are bad for them. An easy extended child's pose, cobra pose, or sphinx pose, maybe a good place to start.
2. People with Mild Or Severe Back Pain: Most quintessential heart-opening yoga poses involve backbends, be it a simple sphinx pose to a more challenging fish pose or locust pose. This is a bad idea for people with severe back pains, and in some cases, even minor soreness at the back. On such days, you can avoid intense heart openers and stick to simple stretches and front-facing yoga poses, so that you don't exacerbate the pain.
3. People with Pain in the Rotator Cuff: Some heart chakra exercises such as bridge pose, camel pose, upward-facing dog, etc. Also impact the shoulder muscles. However, if you happen to have any pain in the rotator cuff area, it is best to refrain from such poses and consult a physiotherapist before committing to an intense workout routine.
4. People Experiencing Body Sensitivity: While your body may physically be flexible or strong enough to be able to do a heart-opener pose, not all days are the same. And heart-opening yoga poses, even if they are simple, can be quite expansive. Hence, it is advisable to avoid intensive heart-opening exercises, especially ones such as crescent lunge with cactus arms, reverse table-top pose, etc.
In our day-to-day lives, we grossly overlook the stressors we carry in our upper body and around the heart center. Be it a sedentary lifestyle, sluggishness, numbness, emotional unrest, poor air quality, etc., all these factors cause blockages around the heart, which is why heart-opening yoga poses are of monumental importance in our daily fitness routine. These exercises rejuvenate the mind, body, and soul like nothing else! They enhance the function of your lungs, which enables you to breathe fresh air deeply and hold on to it. With every exhale in these poses, you relieve a massive block of stressors from your heart, which leaves you feeling lighter and more refreshed.
ALSO READ: Yoga for Kidney Stones: Soothe Your Symptoms Mindfully
Comments
Post a Comment