What Are the Most Common Causes of Left Chest Pain?
The experience of left chest pain is generally an alarming situation for anyone. There are, however, several causes for its occurrence, and these can range from very serious health problems to a few minor ones. Some of the most common serious causes of left chest pain are heart attack, aortic dissection, and angina. These often need immediate medical intervention for proper evaluation and treatment. Other cases are frequently due to carditis, heartburn, stress, bruised ribs, and postural changes. A heart attack, also referred to as myocardial infarction, is usually a result of blocked blood flow or limited blood flow to the heart. It is usually accompanied by elevated heart rate, increased sweat production, paleness, and left chest pain, which may radiate to the shoulders, jaw, and arm. Smoking, diabetes, obesity, and high cholesterol blood levels are risk factors for heart attack. Those who have a strong history of heart disease in the family are also at increased risk.
