Chest pain when I raise my arms

Overhead movement can load the pectoral muscles, rib joints, shoulder tendons and the nerves passing from the neck into the arm. A recent change in activity, carrying, coughing or awkward posture supports a chest-wall or shoulder explanation, especially when pressing the area reproduces the pain. Other conditions do not follow the same pattern: Angina may feel like pressure with exertion, and Pulmonary Embolism can cause sudden chest pain with breathlessness. Acid Reflux, Gastritis and Panic Disorder can also cause chest discomfort without being caused by arm position. The whole symptom pattern matters.

Lower your arms, rest, and avoid repeated overhead reaching or heavy lifting. Check whether the pain is affected by deep breathing, pressing the chest, turning your neck or moving the shoulder, and write down what you notice. Do not use arm movement as a home test for heart disease. Seek a routine assessment if the symptom continues, recurs, or follows an injury; bring details of work, sport, cough and medicines.

Call emergency services if pain feels crushing, tight or heavy; lasts despite rest; or comes with breathlessness, sweating, nausea, faintness, palpitations or spreading discomfort in the arm, jaw, back or neck. Sudden severe pain with breathing difficulty, coughing blood, confusion or collapse is also an emergency. A new painful rash or marked skin sensitivity across one side of the chest should receive prompt medical advice because Shingles can begin with pain before skin changes.

Could this be from my shoulder, ribs, muscles or neck? What examination would distinguish those causes from heart or lung problems? Should I modify work or exercise? Which changes mean I should call emergency services rather than wait?