What Could Cause the Left Side of My Body to Hurt When Breathing, and When Should I Seek Medical Attention?

Pain on one side of your body that gets worse when you breathe might have several causes. One possibility is pleurisy, which is inflammation of the tissue covering the lungs that leads to sharp chest pain during breathing. One another possibility is pulmonary embolism, which is a blood clot to the lungs, which will require emergent care. Another cause could be scapulothoracic bursitis, where the bursa (a small fluid-filled cushion) near your shoulder blade becomes irritated. This can cause pain that sometimes extends to your chest or shoulder area and may worsen with each breath. In some cases, pain on the left side can be related to heart problems, such as a myocardial infarction (heart attack), which may present as pressure or discomfort that may be associated with other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, or pain radiating to the arm. If you experience severe or persistent pain—especially if it interferes with your breathing or is accompanied by other concerning symptoms—it is important to seek immediate medical care to rule out serious conditions and get proper treatment.