Just a random question from me before I try to get a GP appointment. Over the last few weeks I’ve been getting what I can only describe as a lack of sensation in both my hands while running. All of my fingers go white, and it’s a feeling you get just before pins and needles, so a slight numbness.
I don’t tend to run in a tight manner, and do have relaxed shoulders, nothing constricted on my arms either, clothing is running gear so plenty of flexibility. I’ve not had it before and my chest strap heart rate monitor doesn’t say anything. Although my heart rate does spike as I start but then settles down.
As I say it’s an odd one, and not really had any oddities since my STEMI and CA back in 2020. I have 1 stent fitted and run about 4-5 miles every other day.
many thanks
Daz
Written by
Slimdaz
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I would suggest you go and talk to your GP about this.It sounds like it could be some level of peripheral neuropathy which , if it's only happening during running could be associated with less oxygen supply to the lower extremities.
There can be various reasons for this , some as simple as you needing to drink more water before exercise or a mild salt imbalance. It can also be associated with vitamin deficiency which can happen even if you have a good diet if you take certain medications.
Sometimes it can be a partially trapped nerve around shoulder or neck level or you could be experiencing a change in circulation that might need an adjustment in your medications.
As I say , many things can be ruled out apart from cardiac related causes.
Get to the surgery for a face to face appointment, you might need to have a phone appointment with the GP first to request a proper examination. Remind them if your past history.
Request that they do some blood tests to rule out the more simple explanations for this issue. Request Full Blood Count, Cholesterol, Ferritin/Iron, Vitamin B 12 , Folates, Vitamin D , Kidney Function ( Sodium/ Potassium).
It is good to have baseline figures for these anyway if you have a chronic condition or have had previous cardiovascular issues.
You can request these if you have not had them in the last six months if you have no symptoms ( 12 months for Vitamin D) or after three months if you have symptoms , especially Neurological or Cardiovascular ones.
Request a copy of your results even if they stare they are normal , or look them up online, as if the results are low or borderline with these symptoms that could still be causing a problem and you could benefit from supplements.
They may need to do some tests like an ECG or Echo or some x-rays to eliminate various causes.
If the above things are ruled out and it persists you might benefit from requesting a Thyroid Panel blood test or some nerve conductivity tests to rule out other options.
Meantime try to keep your lower arms raised in a 90 degree position to the elbow while you run . Warm up your arms with gentle movements before going out. A lower compression sleeve might help improve the problem and drinking before and during the run should help a little too . But don't just rely on these tips do get it checked as you can't be sure whether it's a sign of something that would be easily treated or managed if caught early.
One of the things that set my mind to rest about exercise was an "ECG stress test". After this I was signed off to exercise as I wish. Obviously only deals with heart issues but may worth adding to the discussion.
The effects sound similar to what happens when it's cold and a person has Raynaud's syndrome (as I do). The small blood vessels in the fingers (and in my case toes and nose!) constrict and they go white. Do your fingers go cold when you run? If so, then gloves might help, but of course they wouldn't be a cure. I would certainly speak to your GP about this.
You might have Raynaud's in a mild form and running is triggering it. Exercise requires the majority of the blood to be directed to the muscles and as a result the extremities suffer.
I've found I've had worsening symptoms as I've got older. My fingers can go white even when the air temperature is above 20C. It just needs something to set it off. For me that can be as simple as taking a bottle of milk out of the fridge.
Earlier this year I started taking Nifedipine and the result is that I now have warm fingers and they don't go white. The problem with Nifedipine is that it has a very short half life, so I have to take 3 pills a day and I don't always remember to take it. Last month I also found out that it opens up the peripheral blood vessels all over my body, so when it has been hot and humid I've had to drop it off to avoid excessive persperation. Not a problem as it's mainly winter when I need it.
I too have Raynauds in hands and feet. It’s started long before any heart problems and generally is triggered as soon as temperature drops to about 16. I’ve recently been prescribed Bisoprolol and advised this may make symptoms worse but I haven’t really had a problem yet, it is after all “summer”. A simple test might be to try wearing some gloves while running. If this relieves symptoms it’s probably Reynauds. Bad news is that most of us are stuck with it for life. Good news is keeping extremities warm helps.
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