What Causes Stabbing Pain In Left Chest?

Posted on Thu, 17 Apr 2014

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

Thu, 17 Apr 2014 Answered on

Sat, 3 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi i am very fit dont smoke drink alcohol and live in a hot country, been having little stabbing pains in the left chest,no other symptoms. Should i be cocerned? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (29 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Detailed below. Detailed Answer: Hello! Thank you for the query. If the pain is well localized, more intense when moving the chest (breathing), does not radiate to the arm or jaw, no shortness of breath, rib nerve irritation is the most probable reason. In such case, pain killers should be helpful. However if the pain radiates to the left arm or jaw, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness are also present, heart problem is the reason. In such case you should consult cardiologist. Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions. Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar