Numbness in back of head, tingling in... - British Heart Fou...

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Numbness in back of head, tingling in some fingers in one hand during night.

8 Replies

Does anyone wake up during the night with pins and needles in fingers almost like you have been laid on it. Obviously I know this could be the cause but it happens regardless of side laid on. It happens in both arms. Also happens to back of head at times.

Quite worrying as I remembered during heart attack that I had tingling all down left arm and into fingers., Is this a heart failure symptom? A sign of emergency?

8 Replies
bridgeit profile image
bridgeit

I have personal experience of numbness/tingling of fingers/hand/arm, so I'm happy to throw in my opinion if it's of any help.

That said, I'm not medically trained and cannot offer any opinion on whether or not the symptoms you're experiencing might be heart-issue related. My advice about that would be for you to seek the opinion of your cardiology clinic/cardiologist. They are best placed to advise regarding your symptoms in relation to heart function. 111 is a good starting point if there's no reply from the clinic for whatever reason. Don't be hesitant or worried about calling them; better to be reassured than increasingly anxious.

Back to the numbness/tingling. If it emerges this is a separate issue, it could be the result of a compromised nerve or nerves (as in my case). I think the principle contenders are the accessory nerve, the long thoracic nerve and the ulnar nerve, depending upon whereabouts on the hand/arm the sensation is being felt. It can be more than one nerve.

I think a qualified physiotherapist is the person best-placed to advise about whether or not these sensations are the result of muscles pinching a nerve or some other kind of nerve compromise that might need the attention of a specialist, such as orthopaedics focusing on shoulder/elbow issues or possibly hand/wrist. A physio can put you through some simple movements to establish the location, likely cause and extent of the problem. Make sure it's a physiotherapist that you see and that they know about your heart issues.

Muscle tightness across the shoulder/upper back/neck can affect the back and side of the head, as well as the chest wall.

I hope you get some reassurance soon; do make that call if you're worried.

Yumz199725 profile image
Yumz199725

Hope it's nothing serious. What heart meds you on cause some of them can cause tingling in arms and fingers since I been on verapamil that's what happens to me I also get tingling in my feet. Maybe mention it to your gp or cardiologist.Hope you get some reassurance.

in reply toYumz199725

Yes will mention it to nurses in January when i see them. Im on apixban, bisoprolol, entresto, water tablet, eporlenone. Ah actually tadalafil too.

Jaycey profile image
Jaycey

By any chance are you taking Atorvastatin? Tingling in the hands and feet are a side effect of this statin. My GP told me to take this in the morning (this is one statin that can be taken in the AM).

in reply toJaycey

No not taking them. Just entresto, fuersomide, apixban, bisoprolol, eporlenone. (sorry for the spelling). I do think it maybe heart failire symptom related.

AlfredV profile image
AlfredV

When you say "some fingers", is it just the two smallest fingers on both hands, or is it other fingers as well?

in reply toAlfredV

Yes mostly the end smaller fingers.

AlfredV profile image
AlfredV in reply to

It could be something called thoracic outlet syndrome. Worth googling or checking out YouTube as there are some stretching exercises that can reduce the likelihood of it happening.

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