Diagnosis

Since left-sided chest pain can in principle be a serious heart or lung disease, it should always be clarified by a doctor. If heart disease is suspected, an electrocardiogram (ECG) is taken for diagnosis, on which the heart activity can be read. Here, heart rhythm disturbances and heart attacks can be detected.

With the help of X-rays, the lungs and the skeleton of the chest can be assessed and possible changes can be detected. A bronchoscopy can also be used here for diagnosis. The oesophagus and stomach can be assessed by gastroscopy.

Of course, this question depends primarily on the cause. However, since this is not always apparent, a doctor should be consulted quickly in cases of sudden onset of pain or movement-related chest pain. If the chest pain is accompanied by a feeling of tightness and panic fear, this indicates a heart attack and is then an absolute case for the emergency services. Furthermore, any pain that is subjectively felt to be distressing should also be presented to a doctor. However, this does not have to be done immediately, but can also be done in the course of the next time.

Therapy

Depending on the underlying disease, the appropriate therapy must be initiated. In case of an angina pectoris attack, nitroglycerine should be inhaled as soon as possible to relieve the symptoms. In the case of a heart attack, pulmonary embolism and pneumothorax, it is very important to consult a doctor as soon as possible as there is a danger to life.

Duration of left chest pain

It is not possible to make a general statement about the duration of left-sided chest pain. In order to be able to give an approximate value in this respect, it is important to know the cause of the chest pain. While untreated rib fractures can cause pain for several weeks, for example, a heart attack or angina pectoris causes pain that lasts only minutes to hours. On the other hand, if nerves are damaged leading to the left breast region, the pain can also become permanent.

Breast pain in women

Painful breasts are called mastodynia in technical terminology. In women, breast pain often occurs in relation to the cycle. Many women experience a slight pulling, a feeling of pressure or tension in the breasts a few days before the start of menstruation.

These symptoms usually disappear by themselves when menstruation begins. If these symptoms occur independently of the monthly cycle, a doctor should be consulted and the cause clarified. Newly occurring chest pain should also be examined by a doctor.

The pain can be caused by diseases of the mammary gland, among other things. Here, an inflammation, an abscess (accumulation of pus), or a tumour can be the cause. If a tumour occurs, it does not necessarily have to be breast cancer; benign tumours of the mammary gland can also occur.

In addition, the use of the pill as a contraceptive can cause breast pain as a side effect (see: Side effects of the pill). Pregnant women often experience breast pain due to the strong growth of the breasts. During breastfeeding, milk congestion can occur in the breasts, which can also be very painful, as can mastitis, which can develop from this.

Pre-menstrual breast pain is a problem that affects about half of all women. Similar to breast pain during pregnancy, hormonal balance is the causal factor. As a rule, breast pain occurs on both sides; only in exceptional cases can only one side of the breast be affected.

In the second half of the cycle, the level of oestrogen in the blood increases, which causes the breast tissue to grow, or rather to retain water. This leads to a feeling of tension within the breast. Breast pain during pregnancy is a common phenomenon and usually occurs in the first half of the pregnancy.

This is due to the hormonal changes in the female body. The production of female hormones increases, which leads to an increase in the size of the breast tissue and the components of the breast milk-producing system. This usually leads to a feeling of tension in the breast, as the skin limits the increase in size.

However, this feeling usually subsides in the second half of the pregnancy. Usually both breasts of the woman are affected; in rare cases one side is more affected than the other. This combination is also a fairly common phenomenon and can either be due to the baby sucking too hard during breastfeeding or to the fact that the baby starts to bite the nipple with its first teeth at a late stage.

However, the more likely reason is an inflammation of the mammary gland duct. This can happen as a result of breastfeeding, for example by causing injuries to the nipple, which then serves as an entry point for bacteria. In rare cases, however, the mammary duct can also become blocked, causing the milk to accumulate inside the breast, which can also lead to inflammation or a painful feeling of pressure.

After the menopause, the female sex hormones are only produced to a lesser extent by the body. Taking replacement products can lead to breast pain. In this case the dose of the preparations should be adjusted by the gynaecologist.

But even if no additional hormones are taken, breast pain can still occur after the menopause. These can occur in the course of a benign breast change (mastopathy). But water retention in the breast tissue can also cause pain, which often manifests itself as tension pains. These are also caused by the altered hormone balance.