What could cause numbness in my left chest?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Numbness in the left chest is often caused by nerve-related issues, such as pinched or irritated nerves, or a vitamin B12 deficiency that disrupts healthy nerve signaling. Other possible causes include anxiety, poor circulation, shingles, or underlying neurological conditions. Because chest symptoms can sometimes signal more serious issues, identifying the root cause quickly is important.

The fastest way to understand what may be behind your symptoms is to take a free, instant, online symptom check. It uses your specific symptoms and health history to highlight possible causes and recommend appropriate next steps—helping you decide whether to monitor at home or seek medical care. It only takes a few minutes and could bring clarity when you need it most.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

There are a few reasons why someone might feel numbness in the left chest. One possibility is that nerves are not working as they should. For example, if nerves in your neck or upper back are getting pinched (which some doctors call cervical angina), it may cause numbness or strange feelings in the chest even though the problem starts higher up. Another possibility is a vitamin B12 deficiency, which can harm nerves and cause numbness in various parts of the body. Sometimes, problems that cause numbness in the left arm can also cause similar feelings in the chest. Other causes might include injury to the area or issues with blood flow. To better understand what might be causing your symptoms, you can check your symptoms with a free AI-powered assessment before speaking with a doctor to get the right tests done and receive the best care.

(References)

Badar A. Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated With Vitamin B12 Deficiency: An Autobiographical Case Report. Cureus. 2022 Jan 21;14(1):e21476. doi: 10.7759/cureus.21476. PMID: 35223256; PMCID: PMC8858590.
Harada T, Nakai M. Cervical Angina as a Cause of Non-Cardiac Chest Pain: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023 Mar 17;15(3):e36279. doi: 10.7759/cureus.36279. PMID: 37065290; PMCID: PMC10103829.
Shugan A. A Case Study on Differential Diagnosis of Episodic Left Arm Numbness. Neurodiagn J. 2021 Dec;61(4):196-202. doi: 10.1080/21646821.2021.1993699. Epub 2021 Nov 15. PMID: 34780702.

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