Question
Asked by Cygnus
Chest Pains When Breathing And Laying On Left Side.
For the past three days I have had pain in my left chest behind my breast that makes it impossible to take a deep breath. It also hurts all the way around my side into my back, in my underarm, and all the way down my arm. The pain also goes up my neck into my jaw and head, all on the left side only. If I lay on my left side the pain is unbearable and I can't breathe at all. I can only take half-breaths in any other position. I am a 34 year old female with no history of heart problems, but I do have asthma. What could this be?
Answer
Hi Cygnus,
I recommend you contact your physician and/or seek emergency care. The symptoms you have described are often connected to a heart attack. Any time you have chest pain that has a sudden onset or interferes with your breathing, you should go immediately to a doctor. Heart attack symptoms are sometimes not at all what they appear to be on television - they can be much more subtle but can still do the same amount of damage to the heart. Here are some links for you:
Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs
7 Ways Your Body Says You're Stressed
All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD