There are many different causes of chest pain and numbness, and the type of pain is a key indicator of the cause of the discomfort. Mild burning is often caused by heartburn or an upper respiratory infection. More severe pain can often be a sign of a very serious problem, such as a heart attack or coronary artery disease.
Heartburn, a very common cause of chest pain, occurs when stomach acid flows back into the esophagus, the tube that leads from the mouth to the stomach. This causes a burning sensation behind the breastbone in the center of the chest. Heartburn is usually a non-serious reaction to food eaten, medications taken, lying down, or bending forward. In some cases, heartburn is a sign of a more serious condition called gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.
Chest pain and numbness that are severe can be a sign of a heart attack. A heart attack is caused by a blood clot that blocks the flow of blood through a coronary artery, thereby interrupting blood flow to the heart. It often causes crushing or squeezing pain in the chest, accompanied by numbness. Numbness in the left shoulder and arm is considered a common symptom of a heart attack, but numbness can also occur in the right arm, back, neck, and jaw.
Another common cause of severe chest pain and numbness is angina. Angina is caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle and is associated with pressure and heaviness in the chest. It is often described as "like someone standing on your chest". Angina is one of the symptoms of coronary artery disease, which occurs when the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood.
Severe chest pain can also be caused by a pulmonary embolism, which occurs when one of the arteries to the lungs is blocked. The arteries become blocked by blood clots, usually formed in the legs, that have traveled through the body.
Other common causes of chest pain include pericarditis, swelling and irritation of the membrane that surrounds the heart, and pleurisy, inflammation of the membrane that surrounds the chest cavity and lungs. Very severe cases of chest pain can be caused by aortic dissection, which occurs when the inner layer of the aorta tears, allowing blood to enter the middle layer. When this occurs, the inner and middle layers separate.
Panic attacks can also cause chest pain and numbness. These are sudden episodes of fear that can trigger extreme physical reactions for no apparent reason. Routine panic attacks can be a symptom of panic disorder.
It is important, in all circumstances of chest pain and numbness, to see a doctor as soon as possible. Chest pain and numbness are often a sign of a serious medical emergency or an indicator of a larger medical condition.