What causes pain in the upper left chest?

Generally, pain in the upper left chest may be related to muscle strain, high psychological stress, costochondritis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or myocardial pain. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, identify the underlying cause, and receive appropriate symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. Specific analyses are as follows:

1. Muscle Strain

Intense physical activity or improper posture may cause inflammation due to overstretching or injury of muscles or tendons. This inflammation can affect the muscles or tendons in the upper left chest, leading to pain. Before exercising, it's important to warm up adequately, and after exercise, allow sufficient rest to ensure proper relaxation of the body, thereby preventing injuries during physical activity.

2. High Psychological Stress

Long-term mental stress or emotional tension may trigger continuous release of stress hormones, which can negatively affect the nervous and muscular systems, resulting in discomfort in the upper left chest. Relaxing the mind and spending time in nature—such as walking along forest paths or sitting quietly in a park—can effectively help reduce psychological stress and promote physical and mental balance and recovery.

3. Costochondritis

Costochondritis is usually caused by viral infections or trauma, leading to inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the sternum, which may result in pain in the upper left chest. Symptoms may also include local redness, swelling, and tenderness. Patients may follow medical advice to use medications such as celecoxib capsules, diclofenac sodium sustained-release tablets, or Shennong analgesic plasters for treatment.

4. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

GERD is primarily triggered by factors such as obesity, long-term smoking, and excessive alcohol consumption, which may lead to dysfunction of the lower esophageal sphincter, allowing stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. This acid reflux strongly irritates the esophageal mucosa, causing pain or discomfort in the upper left chest. Other symptoms may include heartburn, belching, and difficulty swallowing. Under medical supervision, patients may use medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, hydrotalcite chewable tablets, or famotidine tablets for treatment.

5. Myocardial Pain

Myocardial pain is mainly caused by insufficient blood supply to the heart, typically due to narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, leading to myocardial ischemia and manifesting as pain in the upper left chest. Additional symptoms may include shortness of breath, nausea, and sweating. Patients may follow medical instructions to use medications such as isosorbide mononitrate capsules, metoprolol tartrate tablets, or ticagrelor tablets for treatment.

In daily life, it is important to plan exercise routines reasonably, ensuring adequate warm-up and appropriate rest to reduce the risk of muscle strain. At the same time, emotional regulation is essential—maintaining a cheerful and relaxed mood helps mitigate the negative effects of psychological stress and contributes to overall physical health.