An Impending Heart Attack?
Left arm pain or shoulder pain can be a common symptom of an impending heart attack. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked as a result of plaque buildup along the arteries. When blood flow is interrupted, part of the heart muscle can get damaged and, depending on severity, can lead to death.
The good news is, the success rates of surviving a heart attack are much higher nowadays, but the key is recognizing the signs of a heart attack early on and seeking treatment right away.
Shoulder pain and its link to heart attack
Chest pain is one of the most common signs of a heart attack that many people recognize easily. But sometimes, there are other symptoms as well, which you may not associate with a heart event. Case in point, shoulder pain can be a sign of a heart attack.
The shoulder can begin to hurt as a result of the pain radiating from the chest. This is most commonly experienced on the left side where your heart resides.
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It’s important to be aware of this type of pain as a symptom of a heart attack, as well as other strong and weak indicators of a heart attack. The below chart will help you distinguish between the two.
| Strong Indicators of a Heart Attack | Weak Indicators of a Heart Attack |
| Burning, squeezing, tightness, pressure, or pain sensation | Knifelike or sharp pain felt when coughing or sneezing |
| Gradual increase of pain over a few minutes | Pain concentrated on one point. |
| Pain in the diffuse area, including middle of the chest | Pain occurring distinctly on one side of the body |
| Pain extending to back, jaw, neck, and left arm | Abrupt stubbing pain that lasts for a very short moment |
| Pressure or pain accompanied by other symptoms like sudden nausea, cold sweat, problems breathing | Pain lasting for days or hours without any other symptoms |
| Pressure or pain that is felt during emotional stress or physical exertion or when you are resting (unstable angina) | Pain caused by pressing the chest or body movement |
Tips to determine if the left arm pain is heart-related
Lightheadedness: Women often report lightheadedness or dizziness more often than men when experiencing a heart attack. They may feel as if they are about to pass out and have difficulties exerting themselves or even moving.
Heart palpitations: The heart may feel as if it is skipping a beat, the rhythm has changed, or that the heart is pounding or throbbing.
Vomiting: After the feeling of indigestion or nausea, some patients may experience vomiting. If this is not caused by something you ate, it could be tied to an impending heart attack.
What to do when a heart attack occurs
If you believe a person is having a heart attack, have them sitting, keep them calm, loosen any tight clothing they may be wearing, have the person take any chest pain medications like nitroglycerin. If pain does not improve within three minutes of taking the medication, call emergency right away. Always call 911 immediately if a person is unconscious.
DO NOT leave the person, have them convince you not to call 911, wait to see if symptoms go away, give the person anything by mouth unless it is a prescribed medication.
Sources:
http://www.belmarrahealth.com/heart-attack-warning-unusual-signs-symptoms/
http://www.newhealthadvisor.com/shoulder-pain-heart-attack.html
http://www.wikihow.com/Know-if-Left-Arm-Pain-Is-Heart-Related
https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000063.htm
Reprinted with permission from Bel Marra Health.
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