What Might Cause Chest Pain That Radiates Down the Right Arm?

When chest pain radiates down your right arm, a heart problem could be the cause. During a heart attack, reduced blood flow to the heart can cause pain that travels along the nerves to your arm. While chest pain typically radiates to the left arm, some people experience it in the right arm instead. Doctors consider this pain pattern when evaluating potential heart problems. The pain may also stem from strained muscles or pinched nerves in the chest area that refer pain down the arm. Regardless of which arm is affected, chest pain with arm involvement requires immediate medical attention. If you experience these symptoms, your doctor can perform diagnostic tests—such as an ECG (electrocardiogram) or blood work—to determine the cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.