What causes a radiating pain in left shoulder and left breast?

Posted on Sat, 7 May 2016

Question: I have a discomfort around my left shoulder blade and it is going into my left breast. it seems to be easing off after taking pain killers. what could it be? and is it serious?

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Get ECG

Detailed Answer:
Welcome to Healthcaremagic.
Hi, I am Dr Anshul Varshney , I have read your query in detail , I understand your concern.
Most common causes of such shoulder pain with pain in breast (left chest area) are following:
1. Muscular Pain.
2. Chest pain due to heart issues like Angina
3. Acid peptic disease.
Since we can't afford to miss cardiac causes of chest pain so you should get an ECG and Chest Xray done. This will give an idea that pain is cardiac in nature or not.
If the ECG and Chest Xray are normal, the pain is probably Muscular or due to Acid reflux.
For acid reflux, i advice to take a combination of Omeprazole and Domperidone once a day.
For muscular chest pain , do hot fomentation of the affected area and apply Diclofenac ointment locally.
However, you should be first of all sure that this discomfort is not due to heart issues.
So, see your doctor now and get investigated.
This is my personal opinion based on details available here. If you still have any other query, you may please ask me.
Stay Healthy.
Dr Anshul Varshney , MD

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Anshul Varshney (5 minutes later)

I have had all of that checked and my blood pressure is OK. I am currently taking proponal tables for anxiety. I do sleep on my left side so I'm wondering if this is the issue. I do sometimes have discomfort in my right shoulder also. it eases with painkillers. I have also suffered with indigestion under my left breast

Answered by Dr. Anshul Varshney (2 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
ECG should be performed.

Detailed Answer:
See, i do agree anxiety and acid reflux can cause these issues. Even sleeping on left shoulder would cause muscular pain, as i have mentioned.
Important here is to rule out cardiac issues.
Just get an ECG done and write back with reports.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar