Chest pain in the upper left chest during exercise and lying down can occur for various reasons, including coronary heart disease and high blood pressure. What are the causes of pain in the left side after exercise?
Chest pain related to the heart or heart-related function results in tightness in the chest and crushing pain. Upper left chest pain that occurs for non-heart-related causes can cause symptoms, including heartburn. If you experience chest pain, contact your doctor immediately.
Heart-related causes
When you exercise or lie down, chest pain in any area of the chest can be several potentially dangerous heart diseases such as an acute heart attack, inflammation of the sac around the heart, or inflammation of the heart itself.
Angina and coronary spasm
Angina arising from the accumulation of cholesterol-containing plaques in your coronary arteries – known as coronary artery disease – can cause chest pain during exercise. In contrast, a coronary spasm can cause chest pain while lying down or resting. Narrowed or clogged coronary arteries, which carry blood to your heart, can cause chest pain slightly to the left of the sternum. Angina usually occurs with physical activity and improves when exercise slows down or stops. However, unstable angina causes unpredictable, progressive chest pain. A coronary spasm occurs when your coronary arteries spasm and temporarily reduce the blood supply to your heart. Coronary cramps often happen while lying down and can be connected to coronary artery disease.
Non-cardiac causes
Chest pain can be heartburn, high blood pressure, and other non-heart-related conditions. Pain can begin in the lower abdomen, spread to the neck area, and last from a few moments to a few hours. A common cause of chest pain is high blood pressure, which rises during extreme activity or stress. Other possible causes of pain in the upper left chest area include blood clots in the lungs, gallstones, fibromyalgia, damaged ribs, and pinched nerves.
Considerations
Upper left chest pain during exercise or lying down can indicate serious heart problems or other potentially dangerous conditions. You must seek immediate medical attention if you experience sudden crushing, squeezing, and tightening pressure in the chest or pain radiating to the jaw, left arm, or shoulder blade. Chest pain, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, sweating, and rapid heartbeat require immediate medical attention. Also, consult your doctor if the chest pain intensifies, occurs after light exertion, or lasts longer than usual.
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