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Last Updated on November 27, 2025 by Bilal Hasdemir
Feeling pain in the left chest and under armpit can be scary and uncomfortable. At Liv Hospital, we get it and are here to help. We offer top-notch healthcare and support for patients from around the world.
Pain that spreads to the neck, jaw, or arm can have many reasons. It might be from muscle strain, infections, or even serious issues like angina or heart attacks. We’re here to support and care for you every step of the way.
In this article, we’ll look at seven possible reasons for this pain. We’ll also tell you when it’s time to see a doctor. Our team is here to guide and care for you.
Understanding pain in the left chest and under the armpit is key to finding relief. This pain can be distressing. It’s important to know its causes and symptoms.
Pain in these areas can feel sharp, dull, or spread out. Some people feel chest shoulder and arm pain together. This might point to certain health issues.
Pain can also spread to other places, like the neck and chest tightness, or down the arm.
Common symptoms include:
Telling your healthcare provider about your symptoms is very important. When you describe your pain clearly, they can help you better. This includes when the pain started, how long it lasts, and what makes it better or worse.
Being detailed about your symptoms is critical. Whether it’s chest shoulder and arm pain or pain in chest radiating to neck, every detail helps.
Overexertion can lead to muscle strain, causing pain in the chest and under the armpit. Muscle strain is common from physical activity or too much effort. Knowing how muscles react to exercise helps us find the pain’s cause and solutions.
Physical activity, like lifting or pulling, can strain chest and armpit muscles. Muscle strain happens when muscle fibers are stretched or torn, causing pain. Activities with sudden movements or heavy lifting often cause it.
The pain from muscle strain can feel like a dull ache or sharp pain that gets worse with movement. For example, chest pain when moving the neck or arms might mean strained chest or armpit muscles. Knowing the pain’s nature helps us decide what to do next.
Chest pain that gets worse with neck or arm movement is often from muscle strain. This pain comes from inflammation or strain of muscles and tendons around the chest and armpit. It’s important to watch the pain and note what makes it worse.
| Activity | Possible Effect on Chest/Armpit Muscles | Common Symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Lifting heavy objects | Strain on chest muscles | Pain when moving arms |
| Sudden movements | Strain on armpit muscles | Pain when moving neck or arms |
| Overexertion during exercise | Inflammation of tendons and muscles | Dull ache or sharp pain in chest and armpit |
For muscle strain pain in the chest and armpit, first try rest, ice, and over-the-counter pain relievers. Gentle stretching and strengthening exercises can also help. But, if the pain is severe, doesn’t go away, or comes with other symptoms, see a doctor.
See a healthcare professional for severe pain, trouble breathing, or pain spreading to the back or arms. They can diagnose and suggest the right treatment.
Costochondritis is a condition that can cause chest pain. It happens when the cartilage between the ribs and breastbone gets inflamed. This can lead to sharp pains or tenderness in the chest, making it hard to tell if it’s serious.
We will look into what causes costochondritis, its symptoms, and how to manage it.
Costochondritis is usually caused by inflammation at the costochondral junctions. These are the spots where the ribs meet the sternum. The exact reason for this inflammation is not always clear.
But, it can be linked to several things, such as:
Knowing these risk factors can help in diagnosing and managing the condition effectively.
The pain from costochondritis can feel like pressure or tightness in the chest. This can be scary because it might seem like a heart problem. The pain can be:
It’s important to tell the difference from more serious conditions to get the right treatment.
Managing costochondritis requires a mix of self-care and sometimes medical help. Ways to manage it include:
In severe cases, more medical help might be needed to control pain and inflammation.
Nerve-related conditions often cause sharp pain in the left chest and under the armpit. We’ll look at how these conditions affect the area and what symptoms mean you need to see a doctor.
Pinched nerves and nerve compression happen when a nerve gets pressed. This can be due to herniated disks, poor posture, or repetitive motion injuries. When nerves in the chest or armpit get compressed, it can cause pain, numbness, or tingling.
Symptoms of pinched nerves or nerve compression can vary. But often, they include sharp pain or a burning sensation that spreads from the chest to the neck or armpit. Knowing these symptoms is key for getting the right diagnosis and treatment.
Sharp pain from the chest to the neck or armpit can be scary. It’s often linked to nerve-related issues. This pain might be caused by nerve root irritation or compression in the spinal column. Activities that make the pain worse, like deep breathing or moving the neck, can help figure out the cause.
| Symptom | Possible Cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Sharp pain from chest to neck | Nerve root irritation | Consult a healthcare provider |
| Pain radiating to armpit | Nerve compression | Seek medical evaluation |
| Numbness or tingling | Pinched nerve | Discuss symptoms with a doctor |
Some nerve pain might get better with simple treatments. But others need quick medical help. It’s important to know when to seek help, like if you have progressive numbness, weakness, or pain that affects your daily life.
If you have sudden severe pain, pain with fever or trouble breathing, or pain after an injury, get medical help. Our caregivers are here to support and guide you through your treatment.
Pleurisy and pneumonia can cause chest pain that shoots to the back. These conditions involve inflammation and infection of the lungs and the pleura. It’s important to know the causes and symptoms to get the right medical care.
Pneumonia inflames the air sacs in the lungs. It can fill the air sacs with fluid or pus. Symptoms include coughing up phlegm or pus, fever, chills, and trouble breathing.
The chest pain from pneumonia can be sharp. It may get worse when you breathe deeply or cough.
Pneumonia can affect people differently. Some may have mild symptoms, while others need urgent medical help.
Pleurisy causes sharp chest pain that gets worse with breathing, coughing, or sneezing. This pain can spread to the back, shoulder, or neck. It often comes from respiratory infections, like viruses or bacteria.
If you have chest pain that shoots to your back when you breathe, watch your symptoms closely. Seek medical help if they get worse or if you have trouble breathing.
Some symptoms mean you need to see a doctor right away. These include severe chest pain, trouble breathing, high fever, and coughing up blood or rust-colored mucus. Spotting these signs early can save your life.
| Symptom | Description | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Chest Pain | Pain that is intense and may radiate to the back or arms | Seek immediate medical care |
| Difficulty Breathing | Shortness of breath or feeling winded even at rest | Seek immediate medical care |
| High Fever | Fever above 102°F (39°C) | Monitor closely; seek medical care if persists |
We offer full healthcare services, including treating respiratory infections and pleurisy. If you’re worried about your symptoms, get medical help right away.
Chest pain and heart health are closely linked. Conditions like angina and heart attacks can be serious. We’ll look at how these heart issues cause pain in the chest, shoulder, and arm. It’s important to know these symptoms.
Angina is chest pain caused by less blood to the heart. It feels like pressure or squeezing in the chest. This pain can spread to the arms, back, neck, or jaw.
Angina happens when you’re stressed or active. Rest or medicine can help ease the pain. Knowing what angina feels like is key to treating it.
A heart attack blocks blood to the heart, damaging it. It’s a serious emergency. Symptoms include chest pain that spreads to the neck, arm, back, or jaw.
Heart attack pain is often worse and lasts longer than angina. If you have these symptoms, get help right away.
Men and women show heart symptoms differently. Women might feel short of breath, nauseous, or have pain in the back, neck, or jaw. Knowing these differences helps doctors diagnose and treat better.
Being aware of these differences is key. It ensures everyone gets the right care for their heart symptoms.
| Symptom | Angina | Heart Attack |
|---|---|---|
| Chest Pain | Typically triggered by exertion, relieved by rest | Often occurs at rest, more severe and prolonged |
| Radiation of Pain | May radiate to arms, back, neck, or jaw | Often radiates to neck, arm, back, or jaw |
| Duration | Usually lasts a few minutes | Lasts more than a few minutes |
| Other Symptoms | Shortness of breath, nausea (less common) | Shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness (more common) |
Lymphatic and breast tissue problems can cause pain in the left chest and under the armpit. This pain can be worrying. It’s important to find out why it’s happening to get the right treatment.
Lymph nodes in the armpit and chest can get inflamed or infected, leading to pain. This is called lymphadenitis. It can happen for many reasons, like infections, injuries, or immune system problems.
When lymph nodes get inflamed, they can hurt. This pain might spread to the chest and armpit. Finding out why the lymph nodes are inflamed is key to treating it right.
Breast tissue goes into the armpit, and problems with the breast can cause pain there. Issues like mastitis, breast cysts, and fibroadenomas can do this. Sometimes, breast cancer can also cause pain, though it’s not always the case.
We aim to give full care to those with breast problems. We want to make sure they get all the support they need.
Knowing when to see a doctor for chest and armpit pain is important. If the pain is constant or very bad, or if you have a fever, swelling, or redness, see a doctor. Also, any changes in breast tissue or lymph nodes need to be checked.
We’re here to offer caring support and top-notch care for these issues. Understanding the causes of lymphatic and breast tissue problems helps us tackle the pain and discomfort better. Our team is committed to providing the best healthcare with kindness and skill.
Chest and neck tightness can mean different things, from mild to serious health issues. It’s important to know when these signs are a medical emergency.
Not all chest and neck tightness is a big deal. But, some signs are more serious. Severe, sudden, or persistent tightness with breathing trouble, dizziness, or arm or jaw pain means you need to see a doctor right away.
Mild, occasional tightness that goes away might just be muscle strain or stress. But, if you’re not sure, it’s always good to talk to a doctor.
Chest pain that goes to your back can be very serious, like a heart attack or aortic dissection. If you have sudden, severe chest pain that goes to your back, arms, or jaw, call 911 fast.
Other signs that mean you need emergency care include:
When you see a doctor for chest and armpit pain, they will check you carefully. They might also do tests to find out what’s wrong.
| Diagnostic Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Electrocardiogram (ECG) | Checks the heart’s function and looks for any problems |
| Chest X-ray | Looks at the lungs and heart to see if there are any issues |
| Blood Tests | Sees if there’s heart damage, infection, or inflammation |
| Stress Test | Checks how the heart works when you’re active to find heart disease |
Knowing what these tests show helps your doctor make a good plan for you.
Understanding the causes of pain in the left chest and under armpit helps you take charge of your health. We’ve looked at many possible reasons, from muscle strain to serious heart issues. By knowing the signs and getting medical help when needed, you can handle chest pain and stay healthy.
At our healthcare institution, we’re here to help you manage your chest health. Our team of experts is ready to provide top-notch care for international patients. By staying informed and proactive, you can start a healthier life. This includes addressing pain in the left chest and under armpit and focusing on your chest health.
Angina is a heart condition that causes chest pain. This pain feels like pressure or squeezing. It can spread to the neck, jaw, or arm.
Chest pain that spreads to the neck and arm can be from heart issues like angina or heart attacks. It can also be from nerve problems like pinched nerves.
Serious chest pain is sudden, severe, or lasts a long time. It’s also a warning sign if you have trouble breathing, feel dizzy, or nauseous. If you see these signs, get help right away.
Costochondritis is when the cartilage between ribs and the breastbone gets inflamed. This causes chest pain. To manage it, you can try pain meds, rest, and physical therapy. Sometimes, you might need medical help.
You need to see a doctor for sudden, severe, or ongoing chest and armpit pain. Also, if you have trouble breathing, feel dizzy, or nauseous.
Doctors use tests like ECGs, chest X-rays, and blood tests to check for chest and armpit pain. They might also use CT scans or MRI scans, depending on what they think is causing the pain.
Yes, nerve problems like pinched nerves can cause sharp pain from the chest to the neck or armpit.
Working out can strain the chest and armpit muscles. This can lead to pain, which gets worse when you move your neck or arms.
Signs that mean you need to see a doctor right away for respiratory infections include severe trouble breathing, chest pain that gets worse with deep breaths, and fever.
Yes, men and women have different heart symptoms. Women often feel short of breath, nauseous, and tired. Men usually feel chest pain that goes to the arm or jaw.
Healthline. Pain Under Left Armpit. https://www.healthline.com/health/pain-under-left-armpit
Healthline. Left Chest Pain. https://www.healthline.com/health/left-chest-pain
