Why Is There Pain in My Left Arm?

Causes with accompanying symptoms

Pain in your left arm can occur with many different health conditions, including complications from arthritis and other chronic diseases. From a simple strain to a heart problem, possible causes can include:

Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is stopped, whether due to plaque buildup in the coronary arteries, a coronary artery spasm, or a blood clot.

If that happens, the muscle can quickly become damaged. Prompt treatment is essential to treat a heart attack. If you believe you may be having a heart attack, contact 911 or your local emergency services as soon as possible.

Additional symptoms of a heart attack include:

• chest pain or pressure
• pain in the back, neck, shoulder, or jaw
• nausea or vomiting
• shortness of breath
• light-headedness or fainting
• breaking out in a cold sweat
• fatigue
• indigestion

Some people have intense symptoms, while others have symptoms that come and go or may feel mild. In both instances, it’s best to seek emergency medical attention.

Angina

Angina is a symptom of coronary heart disease. It means your heart muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen-rich blood.

Angina causes symptoms like those of a heart attack, but usually lasts only a few minutes. It usually gets worse when you’re active and better when you rest.

Sprains and strains

A sprain is when you stretch or tear a ligament. An arm sprain can happen when you start to fall and brace yourself with your arms. A muscle strain occurs when you twist or pull a tendon or muscle. It can happen when you lift something the wrong way or overstress your muscles. Common symptoms include:

• bruising
• swelling
• weakness

Bursitis

A bursa is a fluid-filled sac between the bone and the moving parts of a joint.

Bursitis occurs when the bursa becomes inflamed. Bursitis of the shoulder often results from repetitive movement (overuse) but can also occur due to an injury or medical condition that causes joint inflammation, like rheumatoid arthritis.

Bursitis in the shoulder causes pain that increases in certain positions or with certain movements. It can also affect your ability to move your arm. Pain may occur or worsen:

• when lying on your shoulder
• on the outside or top of your shoulder
• when you lift your arm to the side
• when pushing on or opening a door
• when trying to “circle” your arm
• when pushing on the top of your shoulder

Tendinitis

Tendons are the flexible bands of tissue that connect bones and muscles. When tendons are inflamed, it’s called tendinitis. Tendinitis of the shoulder or elbow could cause arm pain.

Symptoms of tendinitis are similar to symptoms of bursitis.

Tendinitis can result from a sudden injury, such as a fall or a blow, or overuse if you often perform repetitive motions.

Because the tendons become less flexible as you age, it’s more likely to occur as you age. It’s also more likely in people who perform repetitive motions due to their professions.

Fractured or broken bone

Sometimes, you can’t tell if you’ve fractured or broken a bone in your arm or wrist by looking at it. This may be the case if you have a fracture, such as a hairline fracture, that doesn’t move the bone from its position.

A broken bone in your arm, wrist, or hand can cause pain that gets worse when you move. Other symptoms include swelling and numbness.

A fractured or broken bone requires urgent medical attention. Delaying treatment can negatively affect long-term healing.

Herniated disk

Disks are the pads between the bones in the spinal column. They’re the shock absorbers of your spine. A herniated disk, also called a slipped disk, in your neck is one that has ruptured and is pressing on the nerves.

This causes nerve pain (neuropathy).

The pain from a herniated disk may start in your neck, move (radiate) to your shoulder and down your arm, and it may increase when you move.

Other symptoms may include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your arm. Certain positions may be more painful.

Pinched nerve, or cervical radiculopathy

A pinched nerve is one that’s compressed or inflamed. It can be a result of a herniated disk due to trauma or a wear-and-tear injury.

Symptoms of a pinched nerve are similar to those of a herniated disk.

They may include numbness, tingling, or a burning sensation in your arm. You may feel an increase in pain when you move.

Rotator cuff tear

Lifting a heavy object or performing repetitive motions can lead to a torn tendon in your shoulder’s rotator cuff. It significantly weakens the shoulder and makes it difficult to carry out daily tasks.

Rotator cuff injuries tend to hurt more if you lie down on your side. The arm pain gets worse when you move your arm a certain way. It can also make your arm considerably weaker. Your range of motion in your shoulder is also usually affected.

Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

While uncommon, vascular thoracic outlet syndrome happens when blood vessels under the collarbone are compressed due to trauma or repetitive injury. If left untreated, it can lead to progressive nerve damage.

Vascular thoracic outlet syndrome may cause various symptoms, including:

• numbness and tingling
• arm weakness
• swelling
• discoloration of the hand
• an arm or hand that feels cool to the touch
• weak pulse in the arm

What to do if you have left arm pain

Some causes of left arm pain can be serious and require emergency attention, while others may be managed with outpatient medical care or at home.

Heart attack or angina

If it’s possible that you may be having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency services. If you’ve previously been diagnosed with heart disease, left arm pain should always be investigated.

Broken bone or fracture

If you have a broken bone or fracture, seek urgent medical attention. You can get care in an emergency room, urgent care center, or orthopedic urgent care center, if one exists in your area.

Strains and sprains

You can usually manage muscle strains and pains at home with self-care, such as:

• resting your arm and keeping it elevated if possible
• gentle stretching
• applying a cool compress for 20 minutes several times a day
• taking over-the-counter (OTC) pain medication like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) according to package directions

However, if your pain doesn’t improve after a few days or gets worse, it’s best to talk with a doctor, such as a primary care physician or orthopedic specialist, to rule out other causes.

Other muscle and joint injuries

These injuries usually require medical care through an orthopedic specialist.

Without treatment, bursitis, tendinitis, and rotator cuff tears can lead to complications like frozen shoulder, which are harder to treat. If you can’t fully rotate your shoulder, elbow, or wrist, talk with a doctor. Early treatment can prevent it from getting worse.

What to expect at a doctor’s office

If you have left arm pain accompanied by other symptoms of a heart attack, don’t delay. Seek emergency care immediately. This could be a life threatening event.

Emergency personnel will use an electrocardiogram (EKG) to monitor your heart. An intravenous line will be put in your arm to ensure you get enough fluids and to deliver medication, if necessary. You may also need oxygen to help you breathe.

Additional diagnostic tests can help determine if you had or are having a heart attack. Treatment depends on the extent of the damage.

Other causes of arm pain may require imaging tests to confirm. These may include:

• X-ray
• MRI
• CT scans

Further testing depends on your symptoms and what can be determined from the imaging tests.

How is left arm pain treated?

Treatment for pain in your left arm can depend on the cause.

If your left arm pain is due to a heart attack, you’ll need long-term treatment for heart disease.

Heart disease treatment may include medications and following a lifestyle that emphasizes heart health, such as regular exercise and dietary changes to reduce sugar, unhealthy fats, and sodium.

If you have severe heart disease, doctors may sometimes recommend surgery to clear or bypass blocked arteries.

Broken bones must be put back into position and immobilized until they heal. This usually requires wearing a cast for several weeks. Severe breaks sometimes require surgery.

For sprains and strains, doctors typically recommend elevating and resting your arm. Ice the area several times a day. Bandages or splints may be helpful.

For other injuries to your muscles and joints, doctors may recommend physical therapy or occupational therapy to help the injury heal and strengthen the surrounding muscles. They may also recommend medications for pain as you heal. Most of the time, arm pain due to injury will heal with treatment. This includes:

• bursitis
• herniated disk
• pinched nerve
• rotator cuff tear
• tendinitis
• vascular thoracic outlet syndrome

If your pain doesn’t resolve, doctors may recommend corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. If you have an issue that doesn’t resolve with conservative treatment, a doctor may recommend surgery.

The bottom line

Left arm pain often results from injuries, whether sudden injuries or ones that develop over time from repetitive motions.

However, arm pain can also occur due to heart conditions, including a heart attack or angina. If you may be having a heart attack, call 911 or your local emergency services immediately.

Arm pain can also occur due to broken bones and fractures, which also require urgent attention.

If your arm pain likely results from a muscle or joint issue, you can typically seek treatment from a primary care doctor or an orthopedic specialist.

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