Published on: 5/6/2025
Chest pain that radiates to the right arm can be a warning sign of a heart problem, such as a heart attack, but less commonly it might come from other causes like nerve or muscle issues. You should see a doctor immediately if you have this symptom.
When the heart has trouble getting enough oxygen, the pain you feel in your chest may travel along shared nerve pathways and even radiate to your right arm. Although chest pain from a heart attack more often spreads to the left arm, research has shown that right-arm involvement can also be seen in people with coronary diseases. This kind of symptom is taken seriously by doctors because it might indicate a blockage or problem in the heart’s blood supply (myocardial infarction). In addition to heart issues, similar pain can sometimes occur from other problems like irritated nerves or muscle strain near the chest, which may mimic heart-related pain. Because of this, it is very important to be evaluated by a healthcare professional if you have chest pain that moves to your right arm, especially if it comes with other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, or discomfort in the upper body. A doctor can use tests like an electrocardiogram (ECG) or blood tests to decide if the pain is from a heart condition or another cause.
(References)
Mechanic OJ, Gavin M, Grossman SA. Acute Myocardial Infarction. [Updated 2023 Sep 3]. In: StatPearls [Internet].
Berger JP, Buclin T, Haller E, Van Melle G, Yersin B. Right arm involvement and pain extension can help to differentiate coronary diseases from chest pain of other origin: a prospective emergency ward study of 278 consecutive patients admitted for chest pain. J Intern Med. 1990 Mar;227(3):165-72. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2796.1990.tb00138.x. PMID: 2313224.
Malik MA, Alam Khan S, Safdar S, Taseer IU. Chest Pain as a presenting complaint in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Pak J Med Sci. 2013 Apr;29(2):565-8. doi: 10.12669/pjms.292.2921. PMID: 24353577; PMCID: PMC3809224.
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