Why Do I Have Pain Under My Left Breast?
Experiencing random aches and pains is just part of life. But when you have pain under your left breast, it’s understandable to have questions. After all, your heart and a bunch of other vital organs are in the general vicinity…is this something you need to worry about?
Here’s the thing: There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. “When differentiating between causes of chest pain, there are many things to consider,” says Anais Hausvater,, M.D., a cardiologist at NYU Langone Heart.
You don’t necessarily want to assume the worst (a heart attack or something similar), but you also don’t want to rule it out, either, says Yu-Ming Ni, M.D., a cardiologist at MemorialCare Heart and Vascular Institute at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif. “Left breast pain or just left-sided chest pain can be a wide variety of things,” he says. “Some of them are pretty benign and not concerning; Others are more concerning.”
With that, there’s a lot to go over. Here’s what could be behind the pain under your left breast, what to do about it, and when to seek medical care.
What are the main causes of pain under your left breast?
There can be a bunch of different potential reasons why you’re having pain in this area, but doctors say these are the biggest ones to keep in mind.
Muscle soreness
There are a bunch of muscles in your chest, and it’s entirely possible to pull or strain one, leading to pain in the area, says Harmony R. Reynolds, M.D., director of the Sarah Ross Soter Center for Women’s Cardiovascular Research at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. “Chest pain can come from the muscles and bones, such as from a pulled muscle,” she says. This type of pain usually feels more dull and the area may even feel tender if you touch it, Dr. Ni says.
Tight bra
It seems random, but Dr. Ni says he’s seen this. “I had one patient with chest pain and it turned out that the problem was her bra size was too small,” he says. “She got her bra re-fitted—she actually had it measured—and the left breast pain went away.” If your pain started around the time you got a new bra, or you notice that your chest size seems to have gone up lately, this is at least worth considering.
Acid reflux
Acid reflux is what happens when the contents in your stomach come back up into your esophagus, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) says. It can lead to a range of symptoms, including heart burn, chest pain, nausea, problems swallowing, hoarseness, and a cough. There is usually some kind of link to certain foods, like those that have high amounts of acid, says Joanna Troulakis, M.D., a cardiologist at NewYork-Presbyterian Queens. “It may be worse when lying down shortly after a meal, and it may be associated with gas in the abdomen, burning in the esophagus, a lump sensation in the throat, and/or a bad taste in the mouth,” she says.
Costochondritis
Costochondritis is an inflammation of the cartilage that connects a rib to the breastbone, the Mayo Clinic explains. It usually impacts the upper ribs on the left-hand side of your body and can cause a sharp, aching, or pressure-like feeling. It can also feel worse when you take a deep breath, cough, or sneeze, the Mayo Clinic says. “Like other causes of musculoskeletal pain, is superficial,” Dr. Troulakis says.
Tietze syndrome
“Tietze syndrome is similar to costochondritis, in that the joints between the ribs and the sternum may be inflamed,” Dr. Troulakis says. It’s slightly different, though: Tietze syndrome also causes the joint to swell. It also usually impacts ribs closer to your shoulders, the Cleveland Clinic says. The pain can be worse when you move or twist your upper body, and it may hurt to sit or lay down in certain positions, the organization says.
Pleurisy
Pleurisy is an inflammation of the lining of the lungs and chest called the pleura, Penn Medicine explains. It can cause chest pain when you take a breath or cough. “It can be from any number of reasons—an infection, immune reaction, a virus, or physical activity that caused a little irritation in the area,” Dr. Ni says. While it can be uncomfortable, Dr. Ni says that it’s “a pretty benign condition on its own.”
Pericarditis
Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, a sac-like structure with two thin layers of tissue that surround the heart to hold it in place, according to the American Heart Association (AHA). “The pain is more typical with certain positions,” Dr. Ni says. Leaning forward may make your chest feel better with pericarditis, while laying flat on your back can make it feel worse, he says. “It can be quite painful,” Dr. Ni adds.
Angina
Angina is chest pain that happens when an area of your heart muscle doesn’t get enough oxygen-rich blood, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI).The pain can happen when your heart is working hard and may go away when you rest. It can feel like pressure or squeezing in your chest, and may spread to your shoulders, arms, neck, jaw, or back, the NHLBI says. “Angina is concerning,” Dr. Ni says. “It can indicate a scenario where you’re at risk of heart attack in the future.”
Pulmonary embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in a lung artery, the American Lung Association (ALA) explains. It’s usually caused by a blood clot in the leg that travels to the lungs, and is a life-threatening medical emergency. Symptoms can include sudden shortness of breath, sharp chest pain that can become worse when breathing in, a cough that can contain blood, leg pain or swelling, pain in your back, excessive sweating, and blueish lips or nails. “This condition is also usually associated with a fast heart rate and low oxygen saturation, which can be life-threatening,” Dr. Troulakis says. If you suspect that you have a pulmonary embolism, you need to seek medical care immediately.
Heart attack
A heart attack happens when an artery that sends blood and oxygen to the heart is blocked, the Mayo Clinic says. It can cause a range of potential symptoms, including chest pain that can feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing, or aching, as well as fatigue, nausea, and shortness of breath. A heart attack is a medical emergency—you should call 911 if you suspect that you or a loved one is having a heart attack, Dr. Ni says.
How to treat pain under your left breast
The right treatment for pain under your left breast ultimately depends on the cause. If you suspect that you’re dealing with a muscle issue, over-the-counter medications like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may help with the pain, Dr. Ni says.
Think your chest pain could be due to acid reflux? Dr. Hausvater suggests trying an antacid. (It’s also a good idea to see your doctor if you regularly struggle with acid reflux, Dr. Ni says.)
But if you suspect that your chest pain is due to something going on with your heart or lungs, Dr. Ni says it’s best to see a doctor.
When to see a doctor for pain under your left breast
If you have pain and it’s concerning you, Dr. Ni says it’s a good idea to get it checked out. But there are some situations where pain under your left breast should be evaluated ASAP.
“Pain or discomfort in or around the chest that is unfamiliar to you and lasts more than 10 to 15 minutes should be checked out immediately in an emergency room,” Dr. Reynolds says. “It’s better to jump to the wrong conclusion and have a false alarm than to miss a heart attack.”
Still, she says, you don’t need to panic every time you have pain under your left breast. “Most chest pain is not from heart attack,” Dr. Reynolds says.
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