Is pain in the left arm an indication of a heart attack
Is pain in the left arm an indication of a heart attack
Afrequent occurrence of small aches and pains in the left arm is a sign of aging. But sudden or unexpected soreness in the left arm can be a sign of a more serious illness. It could be a sign of an injury that has to be treated or, in the worst case scenario, a heart attack’s symptoms.
In our daily chores, arm pain is a frequent complaint. Because we use our arms so frequently in daily life, the muscles, joints, and tendons inside them may all be the source of chronic discomfort. The source of arm discomfort may come from somewhere else in the body and is not always related to the arm itself. It’s crucial to exercise caution if you have pain, especially in your left arm, as this could be a sign of a heart attack. It is critical to learn to recognize symptoms in order to determine whether a discomfort in your arm is cause for concern and when you need to seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms for the pain in the left arm
Left arm pain can be either acute (when it starts suddenly and disappears quickly) or persistent (when it lasts for over three months). It may develop gradually or unexpectedly, be severe or mild, and only affect a portion of your arm (such as the underarm or upper arm), or the entire arm. Other symptoms, such as pain, a tightening sensation in your chest, or pins and needles, may also be present and should be addressed carefully.
The origin of left arm discomfort
Various factors can contribute to left arm pain. A heart attack is the most popular of these. In this instance, the pain in your arm can also be accompanied by discomfort in your chest, back, neck, shoulder, or jaw, nausea, breathlessness, dizziness, or weariness. Angina can also result in pain in the left arm. Similar symptoms are present, although they only last a short while. Having stiff muscles as a result of stress can also cause pain. Similar to how a fractured shoulder, arm, wrist, or hand, shoulder or elbow tendonitis, bursitis, or slipped disc can all result in arm discomfort, so can poor blood circulation and sleeping in the wrong position.
A heart attack, perhaps?
A heart attack occurs when your heart’s muscles are deprived of oxygen as a result of a blood circulation issue, such as a clot, for example. The most well-known heart attack sign is a pain in the left arm. This discomfort usually comes on quickly, grows worse with activity, and goes away at rest. It is usually accompanied by other symptoms in a person having a heart attack. Chest discomfort or a tightening, burning, or numbing sensation in the chest, arm, back, neck, stomach, or jaw pain, nausea, shortness of breath, dizziness, or exhaustion are a few examples. Call for immediate medical help if you encounter more than one of these symptoms because you might be having a heart attack.
Relief for the left arm pain
If the pain in your left arm is benign, you can start treating it with rest, a cold compress on the troublesome area, and elevation of the arm. Your arm will need to be immobilized in a plaster cast for several weeks if the discomfort is caused by a fracture. Treatment options may include painkillers or anti-inflammatory medications, rest, and physical therapy if the problem is musculoskeletal (affecting your bones, joints, or soft tissue).
Soothing heat treatments and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation can also assist in reducing joint and muscular pain. If an underlying heart problem is the source of the pain, therapy options may include drastic lifestyle modifications along with painkiller medication. Last but not least, if someone is experiencing a heart attack, they need to seek emergency medical attention because heart attacks can be fatal and occasionally call for surgery if medication alone is unable to remove the clot if that is a problem.
Knowing the possible causes and symptoms of left arm pain might make it easier to understand how the body is responding and decide whether it’s time to contact a doctor.
We discuss the potential reasons for discomfort in the left arm in this post. We also list here the additional symptoms for each of these factors that can aid someone in determining the underlying problem.
Heart Attack
Left arm pain, when combined with other symptoms, may indicate a heart attack. When the heart muscle is depleted of oxygen and suffers damage or stops beating entirely, it is said to be having a heart attack.
The coronary arteries’ narrowing is the primary cause of heart attacks. Plaque accumulation causes the arteries to progressively enlarge. A heart attack could result if a piece of plaque tears away from the arterial wall and blocks the flow of blood carrying oxygen to the heart.
One of the most typical signs of a heart attack is a pain in the left arm. The same brain cells get messages from both the heart’s branching nerves and the arms. The brain is unable to pinpoint the cause of the pain as a result. This phenomenon, which explains why a person having a heart attack could experience arm discomfort without experiencing chest pain, is known as “referred pain.”
Symptoms like pain, numbness, or odd discomfort in the back, neck, jaw, or lower abdomen; or pain, numbness, or unusual discomfort in the middle of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and then returns. It can further be associated with shortness of breath, indigestion, dizziness or vomiting, lightheadedness, sudden flushes, or chilly sweats.
The most typical sign of heart attacks in both men and women is soreness in the chest. It manifests as pressure, constriction, fullness, burning, or progressively worsening pain.
Women Vs Men
But in addition, women are more likely than men to develop other heart attack symptoms like nausea and shortness of breath. They can wrongly blame a virus, indigestion, or stress for these symptoms.
One should get medical help right away if they suddenly encounter any of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, shortness of breath, or pain in the lower abdomen, back, or jaw.
Angina
Angina patients experience discomfort or suffering because their hearts are not receiving enough oxygen. Shoulders, neck, back, or jaw problems are possible in addition to left arm pain. In certain cases, angina mimics dyspepsia.
Heart attacks do not include angina. It does, however, indicate a heart condition. Angina is frequently brought on by blocked or constricted coronary arteries.
This disorder comes in two primary varieties:
Stable Angina
Angina of the stable variety is predictable and controllable. It only happens when you’re physically exerting yourself or are under emotional stress, and it lasts for at least two months.
The heart is under additional strain as a result, so it requires more oxygen than the congested arteries can supply. Stable angina can be treated with rest. Nitroglycerin is a drug that relaxes the arteries, and a doctor may recommend it if necessary.
Unstable Angina
This kind of angina is more deadly and unexpected. It can happen even while a person is at rest, which means that the heart does not constantly acquire enough oxygen.
Unstable angina is a sign that a heart attack is imminent. People with unstable angina should be evaluated by a medical expert in the emergency room.
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