For most women, the left breast is usually slightly larger than the right because it's closer to the heart.
Uneven breasts or nipples are not usually a cause for concern. However, breast tissue or breast density that is significantly uneven has been linked to an increased risk of breast cancer. Regular mammograms can test for abnormalities or changes in breast tissue.
Some common reasons for breast change are: pregnancy. breastfeeding. hormonal changes over each menstrual cycle.
Typically, having breasts that differ in size or appearance is purely a cosmetic concern. However, depending on the degree, breast asymmetry may lead to chronic back pain or self-consciousness which may degrade the sufferer's quality of life. There are several procedures dedicated to correcting breast asymmetry.
One swollen breast can be a sign of a benign or malignant tumor, a nipple or milk duct infection if you are breastfeeding, or cyclical changes. If you have one swollen breast that does not swell in sync with your menstrual period, you should consider being examined by your physician.
Heart LocationThe heart is located within the rib cage, under and slightly to the left of the breastbone (sternum).
It lies in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone. If you are of average body weight and size, your body contains about five litres of blood, all of which passes through your heart every minute or so.
In fact, each day, the average heart beats 100,000 times, pumping about 2,000 gallons (7,571 liters) of blood. Your heart is located between your lungs in the middle of your chest, behind and slightly to the left of your breastbone (sternum).
Heart Attack
Your heart is located exactly beneath your left breast; therefore, pain under it can imply that you have a heart issue that needs addressing. Usually, pain due to a heart attack is felt in the middle to the slight left side of the chest.
Congestive heart failure and any process that obstructs cardiac venous return, such as mediastinal tumor (superior vena cava obstruction), can cause breast edema.
Pain under or in the left breast could have many possible causes, such as injury, infection, hormones, and lung problems. Sometimes left breast pain can be related to your heart, so it's important to first rule this out before considering other causes.
A heart attack is not the most common reason for pain under the left breast, but it is always better to have the symptoms checked out, especially if other symptoms of a heart attack are present. Many causes of pain under the left breast can be prevented through making changes to several everyday lifestyle choices.
Breast pain can be caused by various conditions such as fibrocystic breast changes, fibroadenoma, breast infection (mastitis), breast cyst, and breast cancer. Therefore, it is recommended to follow-up on breast pain symptoms with a primary care physician to confirm the diagnosis and discuss treatment options.
Gynecomastia (guy-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh) is an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly.
Certain natural methods can help a person reduce their breast size, such as losing weight and eating a healthful diet. Wearing specific bras and binders can reduce the appearance of the breast. When natural remedies do not help, a person can consider speaking to their doctor about breast reduction surgery.
Usual heart attack symptoms include discomfort or pressure type feeling behind the breast bone. This may be a burning, heavy or squeezing feeling. This discomfort may intensify with exertion, stress or emotions, and be relieved by rest or nitroglycerin pills.
Most times, breast pain signals a noncancerous (benign) breast condition and rarely indicates breast cancer. Unexplained breast pain that doesn't go away after one or two menstrual cycles, or that persists after menopause, or breast pain that doesn't seem to be related to hormone changes needs to be evaluated.
Underlying heart disease can cause extra-mammary breast pain. How does it happen? Heart problems can affect the chest wall, giving the impression that it's the breasts, and not the heart, that's the source of the problem.
Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort.
Research has revealed that, besides detecting breast cancer, mammograms can also identify what's known as “breast arterial calcification,” which is calcium buildup in mammary arteries. These calcium deposits in arteries are an early sign of coronary artery disease even before plaque buildup is visible.
Hormones can also affect cyclical breast pain due to stress. Breast pain can increase or change its pattern with the hormone changes that happen during times of stress. Hormones may not provide the total answer to cyclical breast pain. That's because the pain is often more severe in one breast than in the other.
For instance, there's the left lung, left kidney and left breast. Speaking of which, around and under the left breast, there's the heart, spleen, stomach, pancreas and large intestine.
Breasts can feel heavy and sore for many reasons. Menstruation, pregnancy, and breastfeeding are common reasons, but infections and cysts may also cause discomfort. Less commonly, pain may stem from cancer. Many different conditions can cause breast pain.