These vital organs reside on the left side of our bodies. The heart, stomach, spleen, pancreas, and large intestine are all located beneath and around the left breastbone. Additionally, there is a left lung, a left breast, and an even left kidney that settles higher in the body than the organs of the right side. If you wonder what the cause of pain under the left side of the breast bone is, it could be due to various things, some of which are serious and some are simple.
Table of Contents
Heart Attack
As the heart is located on the left side of the chest and coronary heart disease is the top cause of mortality in the United States, people tend to associate pain around the left breastbone with a heart attack.
Symptoms
Not everyone experiences this sensation of tightness or pressure in their chests, though. Only one-third of people who have a heart attack report feeling any discomfort, according to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Pain can last for minutes or hours for some people, while it comes and goes for others.
Other Signs and Symptoms
- A feeling of suffocation
- Vomiting and diarrhea (usually more common in women)
- Aches and pains in the arm, shoulder, and jaw due to weariness
Treatment
Surgery may be necessary. An angioplasty procedure uses a balloon to clear a coronary artery blockage. To maintain the artery open, a stent may be inserted. Bypass surgery uses a healthy blood vessel from another body to “bypass” a blocked coronary artery.
Prevention
You can decrease the risk of heart disease and obesity by eating an abundance of fruits and vegetables and lean meats, complete grains, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Pericarditis
The inflammation of the pericardium, the thin, two-layered membrane that surrounds the heart’s outer surface, is the cause of this illness. Irritated membranes can cause pain by rubbing against the heart. Many reasons can contribute to it, some preventable and others not. An autoimmune condition, such as Lupus or Rheumatoid Arthritis, an infection, a heart attack, or a chest injury are among the possibilities.
Symptoms
A typical symptom is a sharp, stabbing pain in the chest. According to the Cleveland Clinic, lying down, coughing, or swallowing might exacerbate the pain. Back, neck, and shoulder pain can be felt, and Pericarditis can cause fatigue and anxiety.
Treatment
The doctor may advise anti-inflammatories, antibiotics (if the cause is bacterial), steroids, or pain relievers. Draining fluid from the pericardium is sometimes recommended by your doctor.
Prevention
When experiencing symptoms, seek treatment promptly, rest, and follow your treatment plan diligently.
Precordial Catch Syndrome
Most common in older children and young adults, this condition occurs when the nerves of the chest wall become pinched or irritated. A chest injury, a growth spurt, or a faulty posture can all cause this. While precordial catch syndrome can show some of the symptoms of a heart attack, it’s a harmless condition that resolves independently.
Symptoms
A sharp stabbing pain, often on the left side of the chest, sudden onset short-lived (three seconds to three minutes), intensifies with deep breathing.
Treatment
The doctor will likely recommend over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain.
Prevention
- Relaxation therapy (such as imagining a calm, serene scene) to reduce anxiety may be useful.
- Changing posture (sit with head up, shoulders back) will keep the chest cavity open and reduce pinching.
- While deep breathing can increase the pain, deep breathing can also help resolve an attack.
Pleurisy
This condition results when the membrane surrounding the lungs and inside lines of the chest cavity becomes inflamed and irritated. Common causes can be a viral infection, such as the flu, or bacterial infection, like bacterial pneumonia. If the left lung is affected, it will cause pain in the left side.
Symptoms
Chest pain, particularly when breathing shallow breaths.
Treatment
The Orthopedic will concentrate on treating the underlying cause of the condition. After that, he may recommend OTC pain relievers like Tylenol or ibuprofen.
You can also consult an Orthopedic in Lahore if you feel pain under your breast bone.
Prevention
Rest in a comfortable position for you, and apply an ice pack to the chest.
Costochondritis
Women are more likely to suffer from costochondritis, an inflammation of the cartilage that joins the ribs to the breastbone, after the age of 40. It’s commonly felt on the left side of the breast.
Causes may be an injury to the rib cage, heavy lifting, an infection, and arthritis. Symptoms
Aching sharp pain or pressure pain that is severe with sneezing or coughing.
Treatment
The doctor may recommend OTC pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs or steroids.
Prevention
Cold and heat therapy and bed rest will help relieve the pain. Avoid running, weight lifting, and manual labor, as they can worsen the problem.
You should consult an orthopedic in Lahore if you feel pain under your breast bone; it can be the reason for some serious underlying problem. You can book your appointment with an Orthopedic in Lahore through Marham.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What muscles are there Under the breastbone?
Diaphragm: Located just below the rib cage, the diaphragm is a broad muscle with a flat, sheet-like appearance. The diaphragm serves as a functional barrier between the thoracic cavity, which houses the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity and the digestive organs.
2. Why is there pain under my breast bone?
Costochondritis. The inflammation of the rib cage cartilage between the ribs and the sternum is the cause of this. Costochondritis can induce pain under either the left or right breast due to its tendency to appear in the mid-chest area near the sternum. Costochondritis is usually self-limiting.
3. Is it possible that costochondritis could be life-threatening?
For the most part, costochondritis is caused by chest injuries, physical strain, or joint diseases such as osteoarthritis. Because costochondritis is not a life-threatening condition, don’t panic.
