Left side chest pain with back pain

Pain in the middle of the chest or upper back can result from disorders of the esophagus Overview of the Esophagus The esophagus is the hollow tube that leads from the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. Food does not just fall through the esophagus into the stomach. The walls of the esophagus propel food to... read more or from disorders of the heart or aorta ( see Chest Pain Chest Pain Chest pain is a very common complaint. Pain may be sharp or dull, although some people with a chest disorder describe their sensation as discomfort, tightness, pressure, gas, burning, or aching... read more ). Symptoms may be similar. Gastroesophageal reflux disease Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD) In gastroesophageal reflux disease, stomach contents, including acid and bile, flow backward from the stomach into the esophagus, causing inflammation in the esophagus and pain in the bottom... read more

(GERD), caused by stomach acid splashing up into the esophagus, can cause a burning sensation or a tightness under the breastbone (sternum), which may resemble the pain of heart disease. Spasms of the esophagus Esophageal Spasm Esophageal spasm is a disorder of the rhythmic waves of muscular contractions (peristalsis) of the esophagus. The cause of this disorder is not known. Symptoms include chest pain and difficulty... read more and other esophageal muscle disorders can cause a severe squeezing sensation also resembling the pain of heart disease.

Table of Contents Show

Why does the left side of my chest and back hurt?
What causes back and chest pain at the same time?
Can chest pain be related to back pain?
How do I know if my chest and back pain are serious?

Some symptoms are more suggestive of esophageal disorders. Severe pain that occurs suddenly after vomiting or after a procedure involving the esophagus suggests a rupture of the esophagus, although this is rare. Heartburn is a burning pain caused by GERD that rises into the chest and sometimes the neck and throat, usually after meals or when lying down. Heartburn is among the most common digestive symptoms in the United States. Difficulty swallowing Difficulty Swallowing Some people have difficulty swallowing (dysphagia). In dysphagia, foods and/or liquids do not move normally from the throat (pharynx) to the stomach. People feel as though food or liquids become... read more and discomfort that occurs only with swallowing also suggest an esophageal disorder. Chest discomfort that occurs routinely with exertion and goes away after a brief rest suggests a heart problem. However, because symptoms frequently overlap, and because heart disease is particularly dangerous, doctors often do a chest x-ray X-Rays of the Chest Anyone thought to have a heart disorder has chest x-rays taken from the front and the side. Typically, the person is standing upright, but chest x-rays can be done with people lying in bed if... read more

, an electrocardiogram Electrocardiography Electrocardiography (ECG) is a quick, simple, painless procedure in which the heart’s electrical impulses are amplified and recorded. This record, the electrocardiogram (also known as an ECG)... read more

(ECG), and sometimes a cardiac stress test Stress Testing Stressing the heart (by exercise or by use of stimulant drugs to make the heart beat faster and more forcibly) can help identify coronary artery disease. In coronary artery disease, blood flow... read more

before doing tests to look for esophageal disease.

Depends on cause

Treatment of chest or back pain is usually given only when the cause is known, but people with very typical symptoms of GERD may be given a trial of acid-blocking drugs.

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Why does the left side of my chest and back hurt?

Pain in the center to left side of the chest and back could indicate a heart attack. A heart attack occurs when blood to the heart is cut off or severely reduced and the heart muscle is injured.

What causes back and chest pain at the same time?

Common Causes of Upper Back and Chest Pain It is possible for muscles in both the chest and upper back to be strained at the same time, such as from overuse or lifting something that is too heavy. It is also possible for a muscle strain in the chest to refer pain to the upper back and vice versa.

A pinched nerve in the neck or upper back can cause pain in the back that radiates to the chest and can mimic heart disease pain.

How do I know if my chest and back pain are serious?

Always seek emergency medical attention if you have unexplained or sudden chest pain, especially if you have difficulty breathing or the pain has spread to other areas like the arm or jaw.