• 1. Panic Attack
• FAQ

1. Heart causes of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade

Heart diseases are considered to be the most important and at the same time the most serious cause of pain on the left side of the chest. This type of pain is usually caused by a decrease in blood supply to the heart muscle or inflammation of the heart structures and can spread to the surrounding areas such as the shoulder, arm, back or back of the shoulder. For this reason, when faced with this symptom, doctors first investigate the causes of the heart and, if necessary, perform immediate diagnostic measures. Be aware that many heart pains are felt on the left side of the chest; But the location of the pain is not always fixed and a definitive diagnosis is only possible with a medical examination.

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.

—Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Most heart attacks are accompanied by discomfort in the center or left side of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or comes back after it resolves. This discomfort can be felt as annoying pressure, tightness, fullness, or pain.

Citations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

1. Angina (chest pain)

Angina is one of the most common cardiac causes of chest pain and is usually caused by narrowing of the heart vessels. Be careful that this situation is often one of the manifestations of coronary artery disease. Angina pectoris pain often appears as a feeling of pressure, heaviness or burning on the left side of the chest and may spread to the left arm, shoulder, neck, jaw or back and shoulder. If this type of pain occurs, especially if it is accompanied by shortness of breath, sweating or nausea, it is necessary to immediately refer to a cardiologist or medical centers.

2. Heart attack

Some heart attacks (Heart Attacks) start with mild chest pain and gradually increase in intensity; While in some cases, the pain appears suddenly and strongly in the center or left side of the chest. This pain can spread to the back, shoulder or shoulder area. If you suspect a heart attack, it is absolutely vital to go to the emergency room immediately and you should not wait for the symptoms to improve on their own.

Don't ignore left chest pain!

In Coronary Artery Disease, the accumulation of fat and cholesterol causes narrowing or blocking of heart vessels. Chest pain in this disease usually becomes more severe during physical activity or stress and may also be felt in the back or left shoulder; Because not enough blood reaches the heart muscle and the coronary arteries are blocked. If a person frequently experiences such pains, it is necessary to refer to an online heart doctor for a more detailed examination. 4. Myocarditis

Myocarditis is caused by inflammation of the heart muscle and can cause chest pain, shortness of breath, abnormal fatigue and other heart symptoms. In some cases, the pain may also spread to the back or shoulder. Possible causes include infections, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, and cancer treatments. Depending on the cause of myocarditis, the cardiologist may refer you to an infectious disease specialist, a rheumatology specialist or an oncologist.

5. Cardiomyopathy

Cardiomyopathy is a group of heart muscle diseases that reduce the heart's ability to pump blood effectively. In some cases, the person may be asymptomatic; But this disease can cause chest pain, a feeling of pressure on the left side of the chest and behind the shoulder, or an enlarged heart. This situation requires follow-up and expert evaluation by a cardiologist.

6. Pericarditis

Pericarditis is an inflammation of the thin sac that surrounds the heart. This condition can cause sharp or stabbing pain in the middle or left side of the chest. A person may also feel pain in one or both shoulders. Pericarditis can be caused by infections, heart surgery, heart attack, injury, or certain medications. If the pain persists or is accompanied by fever and shortness of breath, it is recommended to see a cardiologist.

7. Aortic dissection

Aortic dissection is a rare but very dangerous condition in which the aortic wall is torn. This problem can cause severe and sudden pain in the chest, back or shoulder area. Be careful that this is an emergency situation and requires immediate transfer to the hospital.

8. Aortic aneurysm

Blood pressure on a weakened part of the aortic wall can cause it to bulge. Without treatment, this weak point may rupture and cause severe pain in thechest, back, or abdomen. Be careful that aortic aneurysm rupture is an emergency situation and requires immediate treatment. Chest pain that spreads to the back or shoulder area is often due to the involvement of common nerve pathways and can be considered a serious warning sign.

2. Pulmonary causes of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade

Some diseases of the lung and its surrounding membranes can cause pain on the left side of the chest, which sometimes spreads to the back or shoulder area. This type of pain is usually aggravated by deep breathing, coughing or changing body position and may be accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, cough or fever. For this reason, after examining the causes of the heart, evaluating the condition of the lungs is one of the important steps in diagnosing the cause of chest pain.

1. Pulmonary embolism

In pulmonary embolism, a blood clot can get stuck in one of the pulmonary arteries and cause sudden and severe pain in the chest. The pain is often sharp and stabbing, worsens with deep breathing, and may be felt on the left side of the chest or back and shoulder area. This is an emergency situation and requires immediate referral to medical centers.

2. Pneumonia

Pneumonia, if it involves the side parts of the lung or the membrane around it, can cause chest pain on one side, including the left side, which sometimes spreads to the back or shoulder. This pain is usually aggravated by coughing, fever and deep breathing. If the symptoms persist or the pain worsens, it is recommended to see a general practitioner or a lung specialist.

3. Pneumothorax (collapsed lung)

Pneumothorax can cause sudden and sharp pain in one or both sides of the chest, which often spreads to the shoulder or back of the same side. This pain is usually accompanied by shortness of breath. In case of sudden occurrence of the mentioned symptoms, it is necessary to go to the emergency room immediately.

4. Lung cancer

In some cases, lung cancer can cause persistent pain on one side of the chest, which sometimes spreads to the shoulder or back; Especially if the mass puts pressure on the pleural membrane or surrounding structures. In case of persistent pain along with chronic cough, weight loss or bloody sputum, it is necessary to consult a lung specialist.

5. Pleurisy causes sharp pain on one side of the chest, often the left side, which is aggravated by deep breathing or coughing and may spread to the shoulder or back of the shoulder blade. If the pain persists or is accompanied by fever, it is recommended to see a doctor or a lung specialist.

3. Gastrointestinal causes of chest pain on the left side and behind the scapula

Some gastrointestinal problems can cause pain or burning in the chest, especially on the left side, which sometimes spreads to the back or shoulder. Gastrointestinal pain is often associated with posture, eating, lying down, or swallowing. Usually, after ruling out cardiac and pulmonary causes, investigating digestive causes becomes important in the process of diagnosing the cause of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder.

1. Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastroesophageal reflux can cause burning or pressure in the center or left side of the chest. This pain sometimes spreads to the back or shoulder area and may be confused with heart pain. This pain usually worsens after eating or when lying down. If the symptoms persist, it is recommended to see a general practitioner or a gastroenterologist.

2. Hiatal hernia

Hiatal hernia occurs when part of the stomach moves through the diaphragm into the chest. This condition can cause pain or feeling of pressure on the left side of the chest and sometimes this pain spreads to the back or shoulder; Especially when accompanied by reflux. To diagnose and treat this condition, it is recommended to visit a gastroenterologist.

3. Esophageal problems

Esophageal disorders such as esophageal muscle spasm and inflammation of the esophagus (esophagitis) can cause pressure, burning or pain in the chest, which is sometimes felt on the left side and may spread to the back or shoulder. If your pain is aggravated by swallowing food, examination by a gastroenterologist is necessary.

4. Musculoskeletal causes of pain in the left side of the chest and behind the shoulder blade

Many of the pains felt in the left side of the chest and behind the shoulder blade have a musculoskeletal origin. These pains are usually caused by stretching of the chest, shoulder or back muscles, inflammation of the rib joints, or problems with the cervical spine. Musculoskeletal pains are often aggravated by movement, turning the upper body, lifting objects or pressing the painful area and are usually not accompanied by symptoms such as sudden shortness of breath or cold sweats.

1. Damage or strain of the chest and shoulder muscles

Stretching or damage to the muscles of the chest, shoulder or muscles between the ribs can cause local pain on the left side of the chest, which sometimes spreads to the back or the shoulder area of ​​the same side. This pain usually increases with arm movement or pressure on the pain area. If the pain is severe, restricts movement, or occurs after an injury, it is recommended to see a doctor or an orthopedic specialist.

2. Rib fracture

Rib fracture is usually caused by impact, accident or falling and causes severe pain on one side of the chest, including the left side. The pain is often aggravated by deep breathing, coughing, or movement, and may radiate to the back or shoulder on the same side. If a rib fracture is suspected, it is necessary to visit an emergency room or an orthopedic specialist.

3. Costochondritis (inflammation of the intercostal joints)

Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilages that connect the ribs to the sternum. This complication can cause sharp pain or pressure in the front of the chest, especially on the left side, and sometimes the pain extends to the back or the shoulder area. The important feature of this pain is that it is aggravated by pressing the pain site. If the symptoms persist, we recommend that you see an orthopedic specialist.

5. Nervous causes of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade

Some nerve problems can cause sharp, burning or lightning pain in the chest, which sometimes spreads to the back or shoulder area, especially on one side of the body. Pain caused by neurological causes usually has a specific pattern, it may be aggravated by touching the skin, moving the upper body, or even contact with clothes, and it is often not accompanied by cardiac or pulmonary symptoms.

1. Shingles (Herpes Zoster)

The chicken pox virus, which remains latent in the body after infection, can reactivate years later and appear in the form of shingles. This disease is more common in people over 50 years old or those who have a weaker immune system. Shingles usually causes burning or shooting pain on one side of the chest, such as the left side, which can spread to the back or shoulder on the same side.

A few days after the pain starts, painful skin rashes and blisters appear in the same area, which makes the diagnosis easier. If you see pain with skin rash, it is necessary to see a general doctor to start treatment quickly.

2. Intercostal neuralgia

Intercostal neuralgia refers to pain caused by nerve stimulation or damage between the ribs. This pain is usually felt as sharp, burning or shooting and can spread from the front of the chest to the back or shoulder area of ​​the same side. The pain of intercostal neuralgia is often aggravated by movement, turning the body, coughing, or pressure on the nerve path, and may cause sensitivity to the touch of the skin.

This condition can be caused by trauma, surgery, infection, or spinal problems. If the pain persists or is severe, it is recommended to visit a neurologist to investigate the cause and start appropriate treatment.

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One step to treating left chest pain and behind the shoulder

6. Psychological and anxiety causes of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade

Anxiety and anxiety disorders, especially panic attacks, are common causes of chest pain and can cause a feeling of pressure or pain on the left side of the chest, which sometimes spreads to the shoulder, back, or shoulder area. This type of pain is usually accompanied by symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, sweating, tremors, feeling of suffocation or intense fear.

Remember that pain caused by anxiety can only be diagnosed when important physical causes such as heart, lung, digestive and neurological diseases have been completely investigated and ruled out. For this reason, in case of severe, sudden or continuous pain in the chest, especially on the left side, you should first be evaluated by a cardiologist.

1. Panic Attack

Panic attack is a sudden and intense state of anxiety or fear that usually starts without warning and often reaches its peak within a few minutes (about 10 minutes). These attacks can cause pain or severe pressure in the left chest and sometimes this pain spreads to the back or shoulder.

Due to the similarity of the symptoms of a panic attack to a heart attack, many people think they have a heart problem. When experiencing such symptoms for the first time, it is absolutely necessary to see a general practitioner or cardiologist to rule out dangerous causes.

2. Chronic anxiety and mental stress

Long-term anxiety and continuous stress can cause constant contraction of chest, shoulder and back muscles. This condition may appear as a dull pain or pressure on the left side of the chest and sometimes pain in the back or shoulder. If, after medical examinations, it is determined that the cause of the pain is not physical, we recommend that you visit a psychiatrist or psychologist to assess anxiety and receive appropriate treatment.

What is the difference between the cause of left chest pain and behind the shoulder blade in women and men?

Although the cause of left chest pain and behind the shoulder blade is mostly the same in men and women; But in women, this pain sometimes occurs in a non-classical way. For example, women may experience more back, shoulder, or shoulder pain, unusual fatigue, nausea, indigestion, or shortness of breath instead of severe chest pain. For this reason, chest pain in women is sometimes diagnosed later as a serious heart problem and requires more careful medical attention.

Treatment of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade

The treatment method for chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade depends on its underlying cause and should not be done without a medical diagnosis. You can see the treatment approaches for this condition in the following table:

Summary

The cause of chest pain on the left side and behind the shoulder blade can include a wide range of problems, from simple causes such as muscle and digestive problems to serious heart and lung diseases that require specialist investigation. Although all these pains do not mean a heart attack; But due to the similarity of the symptoms, especially in the left side of the chest pain, it cannot be determined without a medical examination.

Cardiac causes such as angina pectoris, heart attack, pericarditis or aortic dissection are considered to be the most important and dangerous causes of this type of pain and should always be prioritized. For this reason, in case of sudden, severe, continuous pain or accompanied by symptoms such as shortness of breath, cold sweat, nausea, dizziness or pain spreading to the arm, shoulder and back, it is absolutely necessary to go to the emergency room or a cardiologist immediately.

Even if the pain is mild or vague; But it bears repeating, the best and safest course of action is careful evaluation by a cardiologist. Thus, by conducting the necessary investigations, dangerous causes are ruled out and, if necessary, appropriate treatment is started as soon as possible. You can get an in-person or online appointment from the best cardiologists through the appointment system of the Dermankade site.

Frequently asked questions

No. Although heart diseases are one of the most important causes of this pain; But pulmonary, digestive, muscular, nervous and even anxiety problems can also cause pain in this area. However, to be sure, checking the heart and visiting a cardiologist is always a priority.

Severe or sudden pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, palpitations, pain spreading to the arm, shoulder, jaw, or back, and pain worsening with physical activity are warning signs and require an immediate visit to the emergency room or a cardiologist.

Yes. At the first occurrence of such pains, it is necessary to check and rule out dangerous cardiac and physical causes by a cardiologist. Only after making sure there is no physical problem can the pain be attributed to anxiety.

Source: .healthline | clevelandclinic

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