Left arm ache: Hello All, I am not... - British Heart Fou...

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Left arm ache

Toffy76 profile image
11 Replies

Hello All,

I am not looking for a diagnosis here but more advice really. Two weeks ago when I got up in the morning, went downstairs to make a cup of tea and then came back up stairs. I had a bit of an indigestion feeling and sat down for a few minutes as I felt rather nauseous. I went into the bathroom and came over a bit clammy. All this went within the space of 10-15 minutes but I felt a bit of edge and obviously anxious. I already take Losaratan and have a strong family history of HD. Anyway, that evening I had a sore throat and felt as though I was coming down with something but woke up feeling ok the next day. However, since then my left arm aches (I vaguely remember it aching before this though?), and often aches more when I am highly anxious or stressed. It doesn't particuarly ache when I am resting and I race up and down the stairs at work with no problem at all and no breathlessness or arm aching??

I appreciate nobody can fully advise here or diagnose but any suggestions? I really should get a medical appointment, however, I suspect that may refer me to the hospital and of course this is somewhere I particularly do not want to go.

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Toffy76 profile image
Toffy76
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11 Replies
Tos92 profile image
Tos92

Hi Toffy,

I appreciate you don’t want to go to the GP or hospital however, you may not be able to get to the root cause of the pain in your arm without the input of a medical professional. Therefore, the best thing would be to book an appointment with your GP and explain your symptoms. The longer you leave it, the longer you are potentially risking an untoward event.

I have pain in my arms on a daily basis, however, I do have a heart condition and my symptoms are consistent with that. Until you have a diagnosis, you are not going to be able to determine if it something serious or not.

All the best.

Tos

Heyjude31 profile image
Heyjude31

Hi, appreciate you don’t want to go to hospital, in order to alleviate you worryingly perhaps it might be for the best to get some advice. The stress of these things can often make it feel worse. Take care, Judi

Vegart profile image
Vegart

Good Evening, Toffy76. The symptoms that you wrote of could well be those of angina, or even that you have had a heart attack. The sore throat might be linked with the feeling of anxiety. If you get those symptoms again, at least phone 111, if your GP Practice is not open.

Blearyeyed profile image
Blearyeyed

It's definitely worth going to see the GP.They won't refer you to the hospital until they've given you a physical examination , blood pressure checks and probably blood tests to rule out other possibilities .

There could be various reasons for your arm pain including a random acute change in your blood pressure.

You could just need a change in your dose of Losartan and it would be a shame to put off getting that organised , and the issue solved quite simply because you are worried about going to the hospital.

If you don't have acute symptoms at the moment that require immediate emergency care , you may just need some hospital tests , like an ECG or X-rays which would only involve you going in and out for the test appointment and returning to the GP for results.

What I will say though is that it's better to be safe than sorry and act sooner than later because left unchecked or untreated if a problem exists you would be more likely to need to visit a hospital if the symptoms become worse in the future. Take care and get checked out , Bee

MoBeee profile image
MoBeee

Get down to A&E and they will be able to tell from blood sample if you had an incident . Best to have it checked out.

Mentdent profile image
Mentdent

Sounds like angina. You need to get it checked out or, like me, you might find your in an ambulance

Stent2024 profile image
Stent2024

you really have to make the appointment at the gp , my symptoms were the same as yours . Diagnosed angina and had stent fitted 3 weeks ago . Like you I have very strong family history of heart attacks , so don’t want to worry you , but it’s so important fir you to get checked out . Wish you all the best , and keep us updated

DWizza profile image
DWizza

Have you discussed this with the BHF cardiac nurses online or phone call ? That would bring some immediate direction for you ( and some relief I’m sure) . I think you might need to change you’re attitude to going to hospital , get over that . I felt the same , really didn’t want to go to hospital with painful trapped wind 🤦🏼.. glad my wife called 111… Nstemi heart attack and 4xCABG ( all clear on the medics ECG too) … Reach out to BHF nurses for immediate guidance and take their advice 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

personally my first aid training would say check at hospital. Left arm leads to the heart.

LaceyLady profile image
LaceyLady

Never mind ‘sounds like’ this is speculation, get checked out

Toffy76 profile image
Toffy76

Thanks all to those who replied. I did take myself to A&E to get checked out. My ecg was fine, troponin levels were 7 (however the acute symptoms were 2 weeks ago so not sure how relevant that would be now?). Had a chest xray too and that was fine. I am however being referred to a cardiologist to go under their care. They said because of my family history, on hypertensive etc. as grateful as I am that I am being followed up, it seems a bit odd now on reflection?

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