What causes pain in the upper left chest area?

Upper left chest pain may be caused by muscle strain, poor posture, emotional fluctuations, costochondritis, pleurisy, or other factors. Management should be based on the specific situation. It is recommended to visit a hospital promptly and follow medical advice for treatment.

1. Muscle strain: Performing upper body strength training exercises such as push-ups and pull-ups, or sudden twisting of the body, may cause muscle strain in the upper chest area, resulting in pain. Immediately stop exercising after injury, apply cold compresses within 24 hours, 15-20 minutes per session, 3-4 times daily, to reduce swelling; apply heat compresses after 24 hours to promote blood circulation and aid recovery.

2. Poor posture: Prolonged desk work and slouching can keep the chest muscles in a tense state for extended periods, leading to pain in the upper left chest. Maintain proper sitting posture in daily life, get up and move around every hour, perform chest-expanding exercises, and stretch the chest muscles. When resting at night, choose a pillow of appropriate height to maintain the natural curve of the spine, reduce muscle pressure, and alleviate pain.

3. Emotional fluctuations: Strong emotions such as excessive anxiety or anger can alter hormone levels in the body, affecting nerve function and causing upper left chest pain. Relax by listening to music, walking, or practicing deep breathing exercises for 10-15 minutes daily to regulate emotions. Pain typically subsides gradually once emotions stabilize.

4. Costochondritis: Inflammation of the costal cartilage due to viral infection or chronic strain can cause inflammation, which stimulates surrounding nerves, resulting in localized pain and tenderness in the upper left chest. Pain worsens with movement or coughing. Patients may take medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, diclofenac sodium enteric-coated tablets, or mecobalamin tablets under a doctor's guidance to alleviate symptoms.

5. Pleurisy: Infection of the pleura by pathogens such as bacteria or viruses causes inflammation, and inflammatory factors stimulate the pleura, resulting in upper left chest pain, often accompanied by chest pain, cough, fever, and other symptoms. It is recommended to take medications such as amoxicillin capsules, cefixime dispersible tablets, or aspirin enteric-coated tablets under medical guidance to relieve discomfort.

In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good living habits, avoid excessive fatigue and mental stress, eat a balanced diet, and ensure adequate nutrition.

References:

[1] Wang Min, Huang Shulin. Clinical Observation of Qishiwu Dahuoxue Capsules Combined with Aceclofenac in the Treatment of Costochondritis[J]. Journal of Practical Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2021, 37(05): 847-848.

[2] Ren Sida, Wu Zhanling. Expression Levels and Diagnostic Value of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein/Prealbumin and D-Dimer in Tuberculous Exudative Pleurisy[J]. China Medical Engineering, 2024, 32(06): 52-56.