Search results
Results From The WOW.Com Content Network
Left arm pain can happen after an injury or pinched nerve. But in some cases, it could be an early indicator of a heart problem. Here’s what you need to know.
However, the severity of angina does not always match the degree of oxygen deprivation to the heart or the risk of a heart attack (myocardial infarction). Some people may experience severe pain even though there is little risk of a heart attack whilst others may have a heart attack and experience little or no pain.
Chest pain due to coronary ischemia commonly radiates to the arm or neck. [7] Certain individuals such as women, diabetics, and the elderly may present with more varied symptoms. [8] If blood flow through the coronary arteries is stopped completely, cardiac muscle cells may die, known as a myocardial infarction, or heart attack. [9]
Pain radiates most often to the left arm, but may also radiate to the lower jaw, neck, right arm, back, and upper abdomen. [28] [29] The pain most suggestive of an acute MI, with the highest likelihood ratio, is pain radiating to the right arm and shoulder. [30] [29] Similarly, chest pain similar to a previous heart attack is also suggestive. [31]
“The heart sits right on top of the esophagus in the stomach, so sometimes heartburn can feel like a heart attack, and a heart attack can feel like heartburn,” says Dr. Michos.
Chest pain with features characteristic of cardiac origin (angina) can also be precipitated by profound anemia, brady-or tachycardia (excessively slow or rapid heart rate), low or high blood pressure, severe aortic valve stenosis (narrowing of the valve at the beginning of the aorta), pulmonary artery hypertension and a number of other conditions.
Symptoms include chest pain or angina, shortness of breath, and fatigue. [6]A completely blocked coronary artery will cause a heart attack. [6] Common heart attack symptoms include chest pain or angina, pain or discomfort that spreads to the shoulder, arm, back, neck jaw, teeth or the upper belly, cold sweats, fatigue, heartburn, nausea, shortness of breath, or lightheadedness.
Sharp, pleuritic, retro-sternal (under the sternum) or left precordial (left chest) pain Crushing, pressure-like, heavy pain. Described as "elephant on the chest." Radiation Pain radiates to the trapezius ridge (to the lowest portion of the scapula on the back) or no radiation. Pain radiates to the jaw or left arm, or does not radiate. Exertion