Small aches and pains in the left arm are often a normal part of aging. However, sudden or unusual left arm pain could be a sign of a more serious medical problem. It might be a symptom of an injury that needs treating or, in the worst case, the effect of a heart attack.
Being aware of the potential causes and characteristics of left arm pain can help a person recognize what the body is reacting to and determine when it is necessary to seek medical attention.
In this article, we explain the possible causes of left arm pain. For each of these causes, we describe the other symptoms that can help a person identify the underlying issue.
Heart attack
Left arm pain could be a symptom of heart attack when it occurs alongside other symptoms.
A heart attack occurs when a portion of the heart muscle sustains damage or completely stops functioning due to a lack of oxygen.
Most heart attacks happen as a result of narrowing in the coronary arteries. The arteries become narrow due to a buildup of plaque. If a piece of plaque breaks loose from the artery wall, it can cut off the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, which may cause a heart attack.
Left arm pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. The nerves that branch from the heart and those coming from the arm send signals to the same brain cells. As a result, the brain cannot isolate the source of the pain.
This phenomenon, called referred pain, explains why a person experiencing a heart attack might feel arm pain without having chest pain.
The American Heart Association advise calling 911 if sudden left arm pain gets worse over a few minutes or occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:
discomfort at the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and then returns pain, numbness, or unusual discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or lower abdomen breathlessness with or without chest pain indigestion nausea or vomiting lightheadedness sudden cold sweats or flushing
Chest discomfort is the most common symptom of heart attacks in men and women. It takes the form of pressure, tightness, fullness, burning, or gradually building pain.
However, women are also more likely than men to experience other symptoms when having a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and nausea. They may incorrectly attribute these symptoms to a virus, indigestion, or stress.
Being aware of the potential causes and characteristics of left arm pain can help a person recognize what the body is reacting to and determine when it is necessary to seek medical attention.
In this article, we explain the possible causes of left arm pain. For each of these causes, we describe the other symptoms that can help a person identify the underlying issue.
Heart attack
Left arm pain could be a symptom of heart attack when it occurs alongside other symptoms.
A heart attack occurs when a portion of the heart muscle sustains damage or completely stops functioning due to a lack of oxygen.
Most heart attacks happen as a result of narrowing in the coronary arteries. The arteries become narrow due to a buildup of plaque. If a piece of plaque breaks loose from the artery wall, it can cut off the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart, which may cause a heart attack.
Left arm pain is one of the most common symptoms of a heart attack. The nerves that branch from the heart and those coming from the arm send signals to the same brain cells. As a result, the brain cannot isolate the source of the pain.
This phenomenon, called referred pain, explains why a person experiencing a heart attack might feel arm pain without having chest pain.
The American Heart Association advise calling 911 if sudden left arm pain gets worse over a few minutes or occurs alongside any of the following symptoms:
discomfort at the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and then returns pain, numbness, or unusual discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or lower abdomen breathlessness with or without chest pain indigestion nausea or vomiting lightheadedness sudden cold sweats or flushing
Chest discomfort is the most common symptom of heart attacks in men and women. It takes the form of pressure, tightness, fullness, burning, or gradually building pain.
However, women are also more likely than men to experience other symptoms when having a heart attack, such as shortness of breath and nausea. They may incorrectly attribute these symptoms to a virus, indigestion, or stress.
If a person experiences any sudden combination of nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or pain in the lower abdomen, back, or jaw, they should seek medical attention immediately.
Angina
People experiencing angina feel discomfort or pain as a result of the heart getting less oxygen than it needs. Along with left arm pain, symptoms might occur in the shoulders, neck, back, or jaw. Angina may also feel like indigestion.
Angina is not a heart attack. However, it is a sign of a heart problem. Clogged or narrowed coronary arteries are often the cause of angina.
Angina
People experiencing angina feel discomfort or pain as a result of the heart getting less oxygen than it needs. Along with left arm pain, symptoms might occur in the shoulders, neck, back, or jaw. Angina may also feel like indigestion.
Angina is not a heart attack. However, it is a sign of a heart problem. Clogged or narrowed coronary arteries are often the cause of angina.
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