Pain in your left arm can come on suddenly or gradually. Small aches and pain in the left arm are often nothing to worry about and will go away on their own. However, if the pain is severe, lasts for more than a week, or is accompanied by other symptoms, it's important to see a healthcare professional.
Call for medical help right away or go to the emergency room if you have: Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is severe, or occurs with pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest.
Note the duration of pain
If the left arm pain lasts only for few seconds then it is unlikely that it is due to any heart ailment. If the pain persists for a long time (for days or even weeks), it is also unlikely that it has something to do with your heart.
Herniated disk
If the disk pushes against nerves that serve the arm, a person may feel arm pain, numbness, or weakness. These symptoms might resemble those of a heart attack, but the cause is different. A common cause of disk herniation is heavy or repetitive lifting.
In men, the left arm pain will move from the shoulder down the left arm or up to the chin. If the pain comes on suddenly and is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure or squeezing in the chest, seek emergency treatment immediately. In women, the pain can be subtler. It can radiate to the right or left arm.
It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Symptoms can be different for men and women
For men: Pain will spread to the left shoulder, down the left arm or up to the chin. For women: Pain can be much more subtle. It may travel to the left or right arm, up to the chin, shoulder blades and upper back — or to abdomen (as nausea and/or indigestion and anxiety).
Typical heart attack symptoms
This discomfort may come and go. Upper body pain. Pain or discomfort may spread beyond the chest to the shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth or jaw. Some people have upper body pain with no chest discomfort.
Typically, however, if you're having a heart attack, the severe pain lasts for about 15-20 minutes and then can linger for some time after.
Anxiety can cause pain in the left arm. If it is due to a panic attack or muscle tension, it is likely to be temporary, but people with anxiety disorders may also experience chronic pain. Anxiety is a treatable condition. A doctor might suggest therapy, medications, or stress management techniques to help.
Angina tends to radiate, causing referred pain all around the shoulder and neck. Anxiety chest pains/hyperventilation tend to be more localized near the heart. Anxiety chest pains are usually sharper, although not always.
Pain in the left arm that comes and goes is a possible sign of a heart attack. However, other conditions, such as an injury or a pinched nerve, can also cause this type of pain. If a person feels short of breath or has discomfort or pain in their chest or upper body, they should call 911 immediately.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) — Atherosclerosis caused by high blood pressure can lead to narrowed arteries in the legs, arms, stomach and head, causing pain or fatigue.
The most common cause of elbow and shoulder pain is tendinitis — an inflammation and injury to the tendons — that's caused by overuse.
Angina pectoris is cardiac pain that typically is manifested as referred pain to the chest and upper left arm. Atypical pain to describe localization of the perception, generally experienced more by women, is referred to the back, neck, and/or jaw.
Left Arm Pain and Anxiety
According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America (ADAA), people with anxiety habitually experience chronic pain like muscle tension, body soreness, and headaches. For some, this pain can appear in the left arm.
When to Call 9-1-1. In some women, the first signs and symptoms of heart disease can be: Heart attack: Chest pain or discomfort, upper back or neck pain, indigestion, heartburn, nausea or vomiting, extreme fatigue, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Fluttering feelings in the chest (palpitations)
Referred pain is a term used to describe a sensation of pain that is felt in a location other than the site of an injury. Referred pain in the upper arm is when pain is felt in the upper arm but the cause of the pain is located elsewhere. Physiotherapy is an effective treatment for referred pain in the upper arm.
Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms – Female
Men may feel pain and numbness in the left arm or the side of the chest. In women, these symptoms may appear on the right side. Women may experience unexplained exhaustion, or feel drained, dizzy or nauseous. Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.
A heart attack may strike suddenly, but most people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks beforehand. One of the earliest warning signs of an impending heart attack is chest pain, or angina, that occurs repeatedly because of exertion and is then eased by rest.
Signs of a heart attack include:
- 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. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)