What Are the Potential Causes of Chest Pain That Radiates to the Arm?

When you feel chest pain that travels to your arm, one common reason is that your heart might not be receiving enough blood. This can happen during a heart attack or when you have angina, which means your heart muscle is not getting the oxygen it needs, especially during effort or stress. This type of pain is taken very seriously by doctors. Sometimes, pain may also come from other areas like the muscles or nerves, but when it moves from your chest to your arm—particularly the left arm—it is usually a sign to check your heart first. To find out the exact cause, your doctor might do tests such as an electrocardiogram (EKG), blood tests, or imaging studies. If you experience chest pain that spreads to your arm along with other signs like shortness of breath, sweating, or feeling very weak or dizzy, you should get help immediately. It is always best to have any chest pain evaluated by a doctor right away to make sure your heart is healthy and to get the right treatment if needed.