Hello, i’ve noticed that for a couple of months now i find it very hard to lift my arms above my head and brush and tie my hair, my arms start to ache, and i feel short of breath, and once i bring my arms down they feel extremely heavy and i just feel overall fatigued after it.
i feel the same way when i’m washing my hair in the shower, it seems to be that i cant use my arms above my head without being in pain.
i’ve asked other people if it also happens to them, wondering if maybe it was slightly normal but no. no one else i know feels this way?
does anyone know why this might be?
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soapyth
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hi yep same here it happens to me - very tiring and arms like lead balloons - especially in shower washing hair. Personally I deliberately keep my hair short for this reason to make it a little easier!!!!!!
I don’t have any documentary evidence but it’s been my understanding the heart rate increases when raise arms over head. So creates extra exertion.
Can happen when finding things in a wall cupboard in kitchen or on shelves too.
Sounds like a new thing for you? Something worth discussing with doctor?
Interesting, I don't have to brush my hair anymore 😂 but what I have noticed which gives similar symptoms is if I'm doing any fast activity with my arms. Just the other day when I was raking some grass I had to keep stopping and then when I had finished that was day over for me. We have a large fluffy rug that is difficult to vacuum so every few days i take it outside and give a shake, just doing that I have to sit down afterwards. I don't know if it's anything to worry about or if this is the new normal.
Hi, I have the same thing but it mostly affects my left arm, it feels very weak after washing my hair or even hanging washing out to dry, I am not sure if it's because my HA affected that shoulder and arm so much at the time and for so many hours, I have mentioned it to heart team but they not too bothered. Cardio rehab is helping a bit and doing little stretches each day helps a bit but it does ache, quess it's one of those things I just gotta live with now
I also suffer with this .... have got it at this moment after being in the shower and my arms feel extremely heavy trying to right this reply .... I was told it is because when you have your arms above your head your heart has to pump harder to get the blood around which made sense ... it also happens to me when putting shoes/socks on and bending forward ...
It's not normal, but there are some gentle arm exercises that can help. Feet astride, gently swing one arm x 5 then the other arm. Reverse arms, repeat. You can also do this at 90 degrees to the floor with both arms stretched out and gently rotate your body180 degrees, then change direction.
You'll be able to invent movements alternating your arms to assist blood flow, start with 5 x each way then increase to 10 times.
I found this helped greatly to overcome arm weaknesses.
Hi, you're not alone, this happens to me all the time. Your heart has to work harder when raising your arms above shoulder height. It's a well known fact, it's difficult for lots of people with cardiac issues. I have trouble hanging washing on the line, reaching up to shelves, brushing/washing hair.
I sit on a bath seat in the shower and try to keep my elbows close in to my body to support them and bend my head down a bit rather than reach up over my head, as much as possible anyway. I also sit down to brush my hair and clean my teeth, which reduces fatigue a bit too.
An OT told me to use a lower clothes line or drying stand instead of the clothesline, to reduce the reaching up.
I was also told to use my leg muscles rather than arm muscles, eg when lifting and for carrying, carry things close against your body so the weight is through your body and legs, rather than carrying with your arms out and unsupported.
Hi there, Sorry to hear about your problem. Are your shoulders painful when you raise about your head. It may be localised thing like affecting the shoulder muscles or tendons . However I am not sure about the breathlessness . I suggest you check with your G.P. to ensure it is not cardiac. Regards.
I'm not sure if you have health problems. But I also suffered the same effects as yourself. I have had a HA, my cardiologist said it was Angina and he put me on Isosorbide mononitrate. But I was reading an article that mentioned the same symptoms as mentioned, it stated that it was caused by Vit D deficiency. So I now take it, and I cannot believe the improvement. I'm not a medical expert so obviously you must talk to a medically trained person. I'm slowly weaning of the Isosorbide mononitrate🤗
Good morning soapyth. I know exactly what you are on about. But I have been diagnosed with Severe copd and I get breathless drying myself after having a shower. Personally I think you should get checked over by your doctor. I suddenly started getting short of breath and just thought I was unfit , but it turned out to be Severe copd. Brian
Before needing a stent, several months before, I would get strange pain in my arms when I was on an elliptical machine and would put my hands on the top bar and not lower.
Don't know about your history but please take this seriously. May be nothing but please get this looked into.
it’s because our heart is unable to pump sufficient blood to our vital organs (muscles) to carry out what once we never thought about. Everything I do is so hard. I need to know that by pushing myself to do things is this the way to go? As I fear blanking out. I become very dizzy weak, sit down for a while and attempt again.
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I need peer support from someone who's been there :) 
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