Published on: 3/5/2025
Chest numbness can be caused by issues related to nerves or your heart, so it is important to get checked by a doctor if you are worried about your symptoms.
When you feel numbness in your chest, it might be due to several factors. Sometimes nerves in your neck or chest become irritated or pressed, which can cause numbness or pain. For example, in cervical angina, irritation of nerves in your neck sends pain signals to your chest, even though your heart is not the problem. Other times, intercostal neuralgia—where nerves running between your ribs are affected—can also lead to numb feelings in the chest area. However, numbness might also occur in some heart problems, where the chest pain can be different from nerve-related pain. It is important to remember that feeling numb does not always mean you have a serious heart condition. Still, because several conditions can cause chest symptoms, please consider getting a proper evaluation from a healthcare professional. They can look at your medical history, perform tests if needed, and explain exactly what might be happening with your body.
(References)
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Ängerud KH, Ericsson M, Brännström M, Sederholm Lawesson S, Strömberg A, Thylén I. Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction as Described in Calls to Tele-Nurses and in Questionnaires: A Mixed-Methods Study. J Cardiovasc Nurs. 2023 Mar-Apr 01;38(2):150-157. doi: 10.1097/JCN.0000000000000873. Epub 2021 Dec 3. PMID: 36156094; PMCID: PMC9924961.
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