What Causes Severe Pain In The Upper Left Chest?

Posted on Wed, 23 Nov 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Wed, 23 Nov 2016 Answered on

Tue, 13 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : Having strong pains in upper left chest had electrocardiograph yesterday with good results. My Dr. said I may have a muscle pull. Sudden and fairly severe pain occurs when I move upper body not when I just sit.

Answered by Dr. Baranidharan Kuselan (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Muscular pain

Detailed Answer:
Hi there,
Thanks for posting in HCM.
I am Dr.Barani and I am pleased to assist you.

In elderly individuals with left sided chest pain the first thing that has to be ruled out is cardiac pain. Good to know that you had electrocardiograph with good results.
Since the pain occurs while moving your upper body, it is most likely to be muscular in origin.
Tylenol/Advil will provide relief if it is muscular pain and I can see you have started taking Advil.

Regards,
Dr.Barani

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar