Pins and needles in night. Arms and legs - British Heart Fou...

British Heart Foundation

49,816 members31,469 posts

Pins and needles in night. Arms and legs

Icenae profile image
10 Replies

I have af/cardiomyopathy? I woke up with pins and needles in both arms hands legs an feet last night. Breathless. Felt awful. Can this be a sign of low oxygen levels. Had pacemaker check today which was ok.

Not doing well in the heat. Sweating on exertion. Feel wiped out today

Any advice.

Written by
Icenae profile image
Icenae
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
10 Replies
Ashleigh_BHF profile image
Ashleigh_BHF

Hi Icenae

Heart patients can feel wiped out in the heat, so you're not alone! To investigate your pins and needles and breathlessness further, you would need to visit your doctor or specialist but if you are unsure please call our heart helpline on 0300 330 3311. If you feel very unwell then please visit A&E.

Best of luck,

Ashleigh

MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJHHeart Star

I had my bypass over a month ago and have posted twice about the (ongoing heat wave). Currently I feel I am now over two weeks behind with rebuilding my strength and energy. If you have a bad night the day can feel lost.

The pins and needles may be a one off but if it reoccurs contact your GP. Same for the breathlessness but as Ashleigh says A&E if things get bad.

P0rtnahapp1e profile image
P0rtnahapp1e

Hi @Icenae, I have AF, HF, and dilated cardiomyopathy, and frequently have pins and needles through the night in my hands and/or arms and find that shaking them vigorously sorts it out.

I mentioned it to my cardiologist who said that it was very unlikely to be heart related.

Sometimes I think that our poor hearts and the medication for same get blamed for all our ills. It’s certainly my first “go to” for any unusual symptoms!

I would mention it to your doctor or health professional anyway.

laura_dropstitch profile image
laura_dropstitchHeart Star

I was getting very frequent pins and needles at night for a long time and found they lessened quite significantly when my pacemaker was fitted, which coincided with a bit of an improvement in my heart function. I am sure the pins and needles are a symptom of my heart condition (my cardiologist hasn't said anything either way about this) and I do still get them now and again. But as with any change in symptoms/side effects, you should definitely speak to your doctor about it. Good luck x

stevejb1810 profile image
stevejb1810

For quite some time post CABG I would wake in the morning to my arms feeling a bit numb and 'useless'. I put this down to having to sleep in 'odd' positions and never feeling totally comfortable. I didn't really associated it with my heart, at least not directly. The numbness was transient, passing within a couple of minutes of moving them (my arms) again. So none of this really helps you - it might be heart condition, it might just be that you are sleeping oddly (positionally).

As for the heat, I'm 10 months post op, fitter than I have been in years, not overweight and it wipes me out! Make sure you drink - lots! Dehydration for anyone is not good but for us hearties it's especially bad news.

bobaxford profile image
bobaxford

I used to wake up with pins and needles and numb arms plus cramps in my legs though not all on the same night. I took statins for 12 years but since I stopped taking statins nearly 4 years ago these events have gone. I read Barbara Roberts book “the truth about statins” recently and she said this was a side effect of statins.

bobaxford profile image
bobaxford

It would be interesting to know if all those above are taking statins and have they ever linked the pins and needles to occurring since starting statins.

P0rtnahapp1e profile image
P0rtnahapp1e in reply to bobaxford

Yes, I take Atorvastatin and have done for a couple of years, but I can’t remember when the pins and needles started.

Icenae profile image
Icenae in reply to bobaxford

I dont take them, although I should, as they make me more achy.

I do take bisoprolol 3.5. And rivaroxaban. And furosemide. Although i dont take the diuretic when its very hot as I perspire so much. (Head and face).

Icenae profile image
Icenae

Although my partner takes statins and does get a lot of arm tingling. His heart is fine tho. Recent mps. confirmed

You may also like...

Sleep troubles and waking up during night with pins needles in arm/hand and face?

you wake with feeling of numbness/pins and needles somewhere in arm (left or right) and sometimes...

Pins and Needles in left arm

me, when I’m having a bad day I get pins and needles in my left arm quite bad, every time I mention...

Stents (pins and needles)

on and off I have had pins and needles in left hand and a dull ache in left arm . I have been back...

Pins and needles/numbness ramipril

in my hands and feet and they get soooooo cold! Often wake in the night and can't feel my hands...

Chest pains, pins & needles and furosemide

days now and today been feeling chest pains. Also have pins and needles in hands and feet. This is...