Left Side Chest Pain

Chest pain is a common problem for majority of the working population these days. However, when the pain is in the left side alone, panic begins to pile up as we have a tendency to associate this pain with heart attack. However, one must understand that there may be several causes of left chest pain, apart from heart attack itself. But, as the most important symptom of heart attack is left side chest pain, it should never be ignored. The following article should provide you some insight on what are the minor and major causes of left side chest pain.

Causes of Left Side Chest Pain

The chest pain initiates in the heart or lungs or the esophagus. It can also originate in the components of chest, like the muscles or bones. The root of chest pain may also lie somewhere in the stomach or gallbladder, which are located close to the chest. The disorders in which a patient often complains of a pain in the left side of chest include:

Angina
In the people who suffer from the Coronary Heart Disease (CHD), arteries get blocked due to fatty deposits, called plaques. These plaques prevent the normal blood flow through the arteries, by narrowing the arteries. As a result, the heart muscles are deprived of the oxygen rich blood, which directly affects its function of efficiently pumping the blood. This condition is called cardiac ischemia and the pain resulting from cardiac ischemia is called Angina. The chances of Angina are aggravated after a physical activity. People with this heart disease often complain of a sharp chest pain in the left side.

Heart Attack
A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction (MI), occurs when the surface that covers the fatty plaque ruptures. This results in the formation of a blood clot or thrombus, which blocks the artery completely. The muscle of the heart which depends on that artery, for the supply of blood, begins to collapse in the absence of oxygen rich blood. If the time period for which the artery remains blocked exceeds 15 minutes, the tissues in that area start dying. The nature of the pain is similar to that experienced in ischemia, in fact, heart attack is the ultimate outcome of prolonged ischemia. The pain does not remain confined to the chest region, but moves towards the left shoulder and the neck, as well. Along with left chest pain, the other symptoms associated with heart attack are:

• Shortness of breath.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Pain that spreads from chest to back.
• Sweating.
• Dizziness or irregular heartbeat.

Acidity, Gas, Heartburn.
The gas that is generated in stomach and intestine, moves upward and presses against the wall of the chest. This leads to difficulty in breathing and tightening of chest wall, which eventually results in pain in the chest. If the symptoms of heart attack such as palpitations, rapid heart rate, sweating, pale skin are not experienced with a left chest pain, it is often an indication that the person is suffering from acidity or gas or heartburn.

Lifestyle Causes
Stress is one factor that severely impedes myocardial function. People who have to endure stress all the time, often complain of chest pain on the left side. However, stress in itself does not give way to heart attack, nonetheless, it may cause other health disorders which eventually lead to cardiac dysfunction. Apart from that obesity and diabetes, which are byproducts of modern lifestyle may also contribute to chest pain. Besides, smoking and drinking may also impair cardiac function to a great extent.

Treatment for Left Side Chest Pain

Treatment for left side chest pain primarily depends upon the underlying cause. Your doctor would first like to diagnose your condition by assessing your symptoms. Once, the underlying cause is ascertained, appropriate treatment can be initiated. In case you experience some severe symptoms of angina or heart attack such as tightened chest, pain that gyrates to shoulder blades and jaws, dizziness, nausea, blurry vision etc., you should immediately alert emergency medical services. Other times, your doctor may prescribe you some medications to alleviate pain. In some cases, procedures such as angioplasty may be required, if the pain is due to arterial blockages. To avoid the incidences of chest pain, one should get a routine examination of cardiac function done. More so, if you have a family history of heart attacks, diabetes etc., or you lead an unhealthy lifestyle or are above 40 years of age.

Left side chest pain, often generates ripples of panic in the individual and his family. However, you should remember that chest pain is not always an indication of a heart attack. Nonetheless, it should never be ignored, particularly if you fall in the risk group for heart attack.