FAQ: Chest pain when lying on left side?

Why does my chest hurt when I lay on my left side?

A common symptom of acute pericarditis is a sharp, stabbing chest pain, usually coming on quickly. It’s often is in the middle or left side of the chest, and there may be pain in one or both shoulders. Sitting up and leaning forward tends to ease the pain, while lying down and breathing deep worsens it.

Why does my chest hurt when lying down?

If you have pain, swelling and tenderness around your ribs, and the pain is made worse by lying down, breathing deeply, coughing or sneezing, you may have a condition called costochondritis. This is caused by inflammation in the joints between the cartilage that joins the ribs to the breastbone (sternum).

Is it bad if the left side of your chest hurts?

Left-sided chest pain can be due to a heart attack or other life-threatening condition for which every minute matters. Call your local emergency services if you or someone near you has unexplained left-sided or center chest pain along with: feeling of pressure or tightening of the chest.

Is pericarditis serious?

Or the condition may be “chronic,” meaning that it develops over time and may take longer to treat. Both types of pericarditis can disrupt your heart’s normal rhythm or function. In rare cases, pericarditis can have very serious consequences, even leading to death.

Is Sleeping on left side bad for heart?

Since your heart is on the left side of your body, sleeping on that side presses your heart against the chest cavity. Right side sleeping puts no extra pressure on your heart. Side sleeping also reduces your sympathetic nervous system activity.

What part of chest hurts with heart attack?

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.

What is this dull ache in my chest?

Chest pain is the most common symptom of pericarditis. It usually feels sharp or stabbing. However, some people have dull, achy or pressure-like chest pain. The pain usually occurs behind the breastbone or in the left side of your chest.

How do you know if chest pain is muscular?

Classic symptoms of strain in the chest muscle include:

1. pain, which may be sharp (an acute pull) or dull (a chronic strain)
2. swelling.
3. muscle spasms.
4. difficulty moving the affected area.
5. pain while breathing.
6. bruising.

How do I know if my chest pain is serious?

Call 911 if you have any of these symptoms along with chest pain:

1. A sudden feeling of pressure, squeezing, tightness, or crushing under your breastbone.
2. Chest pain that spreads to your jaw, left arm, or back.
3. Sudden, sharp chest pain with shortness of breath, especially after a long period of inactivity.

What is the sharp pain under my left breast?

When the stomach’s lining becomes inflamed, this is known as gastritis. Not everyone will experience symptoms, but a sharp, stabbing or burning pain under the left breast is a potential clue that gastritis may be present. The pain can also be accompanied by heartburn, feeling sick, vomiting, and bloating.

Where is lung pain felt?

The lungs do not have a significant amount of pain receptors, which means that any pain felt in the lungs probably originates somewhere else in the body. However, some lung-related conditions can result in pain in the left lung. The chest contains several vital organs, including the heart and lungs.

Can stress cause chest pain left side?

Occasionally, these symptoms are mistakenly associated with other conditions. As an example, chest pain is sometimes a symptom of anxiety. Often the result of a panic attack or heightened reaction, chest pain is a concern because of the possible connection to heart attacks and other heart conditions.

Is pericarditis an emergency?

Acute pericarditis can also represent a medical emergency due to chest pain of upsetting intensity.

What viral infection causes pericarditis?

Viral causes include coxsackievirus, herpesvirus, mumps virus, and HIV among others. Pneumococcus or tuberculous pericarditis are the most common bacterial forms. Anaerobic bacteria can also be a rare cause.

Does pericarditis require hospitalization?

Hospital admission is not necessary for all patients with acute pericarditis; however, patients with high-risk features should be hospitalized.