When should I worry about left arm pain?

The American Heart Association advise calling 911 if sudden left arm pain gets worse over a few minutes or occurs alongside any of the following symptoms: discomfort at the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and then returns.
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How do you know if left arm pain is not heart related?

Left arm pain — without chest pain — may be a dull ache or a shooting pain, and it may accompany other symptoms, such as headaches and muscle weakness. If the pain is severe or persistent, see a doctor. Seek emergency care if the pain results from trauma or if there are any symptoms of a stroke or heart attack.
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How long does the left arm hurt before a heart attack?

2. Heart attack. Often, an initial symptom of a heart attack is sudden left arm pain that gets increasingly intense over the course of a few minutes.
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How do I know if my arm pain is serious?

See your doctor right away if you have:

A sudden injury to your arm, particularly if you hear a snap or cracking sound. Severe pain and swelling in your arm. Trouble moving your arm normally or turning your arm from palm up to palm down and vice versa.
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What part of your arm hurts when you have heart problems?

Pain in the left arm is the best known symptom of a heart attack. When someone is having a heart attack, this pain comes on suddenly, gets worse with exertion and eases off at rest, and is generally accompanied by other symptoms.
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Heart Attack Symptoms - The Nebraska Medical Center



What does cardiac arm pain feel like?

In men, the left arm pain will move from the shoulder down the left arm or up to the chin. If the pain comes on suddenly and is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure or squeezing in the chest, seek emergency treatment immediately. In women, the pain can be subtler. It can radiate to the right or left arm.
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Why do I have a dull ache in my left arm?

Pain in your left arm could be related to a heart condition. Angina, which is caused by decreased blood flow to the heart, can cause pain in the arm shoulder. A heart attack can cause pain in one or both arms.
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Is left arm pain a symptom of anxiety?

Anxiety can cause pain in the left arm. If it is due to a panic attack or muscle tension, it is likely to be temporary, but people with anxiety disorders may also experience chronic pain. Anxiety is a treatable condition. A doctor might suggest therapy, medications, or stress management techniques to help.
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What are the 4 signs of an impending heart attack?

What are the symptoms of heart attack?
  • Chest pain or discomfort. ...
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. ...
  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
  • Shortness of breath.
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Can you be having a heart attack for days?

Over 50% of heart attacks have "beginning" symptoms that may come and go for days or weeks. Early symptoms include: Mild chest pressure, aching or burning that comes and goes.
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What part of your left arm hurts when having a heart attack?

For men: Pain will spread to the left shoulder, down the left arm or up to the chin. For women: Pain can be much more subtle. It may travel to the left or right arm, up to the chin, shoulder blades and upper back — or to abdomen (as nausea and/or indigestion and anxiety).
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What does anxiety arm pain feel like?

Anxiety can cause pain in several ways. For some people, this pain might appear in the left arm. According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, people with anxiety often experience chronic pain from muscle tension, soreness, or headaches. Tension or pain might occur in the arms as a result.
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How can I test myself for a heart attack?

Signs of a heart attack include:

- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)
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What does a blocked artery feel like?

The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath. Imagine driving through a tunnel. On Monday, you encounter a pile of rubble. There is a narrow gap, big enough to drive through.
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What are the 4 silent signs of a heart attack in a woman?

The Four "Silent" Symptoms of a Heart Attack
  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. ...
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or lightheadedness.
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Should I go to the hospital if my left arm hurts?

The American Heart Association advise calling 911 if sudden left arm pain gets worse over a few minutes or occurs alongside any of the following symptoms: discomfort at the center of the chest that lasts longer than a few minutes or goes away and then returns.
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How do I get rid of pain in my left arm?

Self-care
  1. Rest. Take a break from your normal activities.
  2. Ice. Place an ice pack or bag of frozen peas on the sore area for 15 to 20 minutes three times a day.
  3. Compression. Use a compression bandage to reduce swelling.
  4. Elevation. If possible, elevate your arm to help reduce swelling.
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How do I know if I have heart problems or anxiety?

Differences Between Anxiety and Heart Problems
  • The chest pain from an anxiety attack is sharper and more localized, while the pain from a heart attack is duller and radiates more.
  • Anxiety attacks stem from a mental and not a physical cause.
  • Anxiety attacks rarely cause vomiting.
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How do you know if you have a pinched nerve in your arm?

Pinched nerve signs and symptoms include: Numbness or decreased sensation in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, pins and needles sensations (paresthesia)
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Which arm goes numb if your having a stroke?

Stroke can cause numbness in several areas of your body, including your left arm. Other signs include trouble with balance, coordination and speech, as well as headache and confusion. Stroke symptoms tend to happen on one side of your body.
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Where is heart pain located?

Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes – or it may go away and then return. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
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What are the first signs of a heart attack in a woman?

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the center of your chest. ...
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
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How do you rule out a heart attack?

Tests to diagnose a heart attack include:
  1. Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG). This first test done to diagnose a heart attack records electrical signals as they travel through the heart. ...
  2. Blood tests. ...
  3. Chest X-ray. ...
  4. Echocardiogram. ...
  5. Coronary catheterization (angiogram). ...
  6. Cardiac CT or MRI .
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How long can a woman have symptoms before a heart attack?

Many people expect a heart attack to come on suddenly. But research suggests that women experience symptoms for several weeks before a heart attack. A study published in 2003 of 515 women who had experienced a heart attack, reports 80 percent of women had at least 1 symptom at least 4 weeks before their heart attack.
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What are the top 10 signs of a heart attack?

10 Heart Attack Warning Signs That May Surprise You
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
  • A feeling like severe heartburn.
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea, vomiting or lightheadedness. ...
  • Anxiety (feeling uneasy or worried)
  • Indigestion (upset stomach)
  • Problems breathing.
  • Trouble sleeping.
  • Unusual tiredness.
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