Chest pain of heart attacks are more likely to be central,
behind the sternum or breastbone, rather than on one side. Yes, the
pain can certainly radiate or run to the left arm but that is not
invariable. The pain can be bad but is constant.
Muscular pain arising from the chest wall is common. It tends to be
sharp, brief and may be worse when you take a deep breath, as with
conditions such as pleurisy due to inflammation of the lung
linings.
Your doctor will have a good idea as to the cause by taking a
careful history and a physical examination but it is always
worthwhile to do an ECG to make sure it is not cardiac in
origin.
