Causes of chest pain left side

Chest pain left side is a very common condition in the people and can be a result of a plethora of reasons. Normally chest pain left side is not dangerous and is often ignores as it subsides on its own, but chest pain at the left side can be quite alarming. Usually left sided chest pain is an indication of a heart attack as heart is located at the left side of the body.

Causes of left side chest pain left side:

Having a chest pain left side do not necessarily mean that you are experiencing a heart attack, it can have several other meanings as well. Sometimes people suffer from such condition when they are having muscle spasm or their muscle is tenses or pulled due to some vigorous activity etc. heart attack symptoms are very vast they range from the feeling of indigestion to sweating, breathlessness etc so it is quite distinguishable from a normal chest pain. Chest pain left side can also be the result of a lung infection or even pneumonia. Gallbladder attacks and even peptic ulcers are frequently accompanied by chest pains as well. A collapsed lungs and even problems with the esophagus and pulmonary spasms can also cause very painful and sudden chest pain left side. Those associated with lungs are initiated as you takes deep breathes, making it hard for you to breathe properly. Thyroid diseases and neck arthritic can be some other reasons for the chest pain to occur. Acidity, heartburns and gas accumulation can also result in unbearable and excruciating chest pain left side. Smoking is one of the major causes of heartburns thus smokers usually suffer from such severe chest pain left side. In case of pneumonia, the chest pain is accompanied by severe coughing stained with mucus.

Psychological causes of chest pain left side :

Apart from the physical condition, psychological factors can also contribute in stimulating chest pains. Extreme anxiety and stress majorly contributes in having a chest pain left side which can be very painful as well. In such cases, the patient starts to breathe heavily and feels congested and suffocated.

Angina and heart attack:

Angina is a choking state in which one experiences tightness in the chest and finds it hard to breathe properly. This condition of chest pain left side must be dealt carefully as if left untreated it can lead to heart attack and can prove to be fatal.

How can chest pain left side be treated?

In order to properly treat the chest pain left side, one must be fully aware of its cause. If the chest pain left side is the result of heartburn or gas accumulation and it must be treated by quitting smoking and reducing the intake of spicy food. Excessive amount of liquid consumption must be encouraged by all means as it reduces the acidity level of the stomach and improves the condition. If the pain is the result of a chest muscle spasm then one must take plenty of rest so that the muscle could relax. A heat pad may also be placed over the chest which will help to provide a soothing effect and relieve pain within snaps.

The chest pain left side resulting due to stress or anxiety can be cured by taking plenty of rest and sleeping well in a dark cozy room. Reducing work load and taking a break from your hectic schedule can also be very helpful. The pain is also be triggered due to lung infection or pneumonia so in such cases, antibiotics are recommended which reduces the infections and relieves pain. In case of pneumonia the patient must avoid all types of cold beverages and direct contact with cold air, like air conditioners etc. Rest is mandatory in such a state so that the lungs have to breathe with less pressure on them and they can also relax for a while.

The major cause of chest pain left side is a heart attack or angina and they require immediate medical attention. In such a state the patient is feeling exhausted and sweaty; moreover he/she is experiencing shortness of breath therefore he is advised to lie down in open air to reduce the feeling of congestion. Swallowing a tablet of Disprin can give relief as it acts as a blood thinner and increase the blood supply to the heart in a short while. Coronary heart disease can also result if angina is left untreated as its one of the basic symptom of a coronary heart disease. The condition of chest pain left side usually occurs when the arteries of the heart gets blocked due to the accumulation of fats and cholesterol. This mostly happens with those people who suffer from high cholesterol and eat very unhealthy, fatty food. When the arteries of the heart gets blocked the amount of oxygen delivered to the heart reduces. The heart then has to pump more forcefully which in returns builds pressure over the heart and results in severe left sided chest pain.