A pain in the left arm can be worrying, because it is associated with a heart attack. But it can also be of muscular, nervous, or bone origin. When should you be concerned?
What type of pain can you feel?
Pain in the arm (left or right) can manifest itself in different ways. The following three types of pain suggest a musculo-tendinous cause or even a bone or joint pain:
- a brief pain that occurs during a specific movement ;
- a sharp pain, following a trauma, possibly accompanied by a swelling or a deformation of the arm;
- a pain that intensifies when the arm is used;
- A sensation of electric discharges, burning or tingling that does not increase with effort suggests neuralgia, which may be of cervical origin.
A radiating or stabbing pain, not influenced by movements, should make us think of a possible pain of cardiac origin.
Seek immediate medical help If the "arm pain" persists and is accompanied by :
- a feeling of discomfort,
- of sweating,
- pain in the shoulder,
- pain in the chest
- pain in the jaw
- or shortness of breath.
If the pain appears during exercise, radiates into the left arm and disappears at rest, contact your doctor quickly.
Myocardial infarction, the first diagnosis to be ruled out
Myocardial infarction occurs when the coronary artery (which supplies the heart muscle with blood and oxygen) is blocked. The heart muscle, then deprived of oxygen, malfunctions and gradually becomes necrotic. The consequences manifest themselves very quickly and complications can range from heart rhythm disorders to cardiac arrest.
Typically, the pain is felt in the chest. It can be accompanied by a sensation of tightness, possibly favored by the effort, and radiate in the arms, in the throat or in the jaw.
Arm pain is sometimes the only sign, especially in women who frequently have atypical symptoms that can delay diagnosis. Other signs may include digestive problems (nausea, vomiting, etc.), sweating, fainting and heart palpitations.
What risk factors should I be aware of?
Several risk factors can lead to a heart attack:
- smoking,
- diabetes
- high blood pressure,
- high cholesterol,
- a very sedentary lifestyle,
- overweight,
- stress,
- a family history of myocardial infarction etc.
Heart attacks do not only affect men over 50 years old. It can also affect young men, especially smokers, even athletes, and increasingly, women, especially at the time of perimenopause.
What else might be the cause of left arm pain?
When the pain in the left arm is not related to a cardiac pathology, it is essentially related to tendon, muscle or joint causes. Depending on the case, they may be diffuse or localized, brief or persistent and have a functional impact. They can also be followed by tingling, a lack of sensitivity in the fingers or a lack of strength. The main causes :
- traumatic causes (fractures or sprains following a shock)
- rheumatological causes (rotator cuff tendonitis for example, tennis elbow, shoulder osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, etc),
- neurological causes (nerve compression that can occur in the neck, wrist or elbow).
It is often difficult for a person to differentiate themselves. However, if a pain of the left arm is related to a myocardial infarction, no change in arm position position or any alternative will be able to relieve the pain
Heart attacks: the pain does not only affect the left arm.
Pain in the left arm can indeed be an early sign of a heart attack, even before the onset of chest pain. It appears suddenly and especially without any apparent reason (no fall or shock).
It may be associated with retro-sternal pain (in other words, pain behind the sternum - the bone where the ribs meet). Its origin is thoracic, which irradiates to the left arm, but also sometimes to the neck, the jaw, the stomach, the right arm, or even to both arms - and even to the wrists.
When should you be concerned and who should you consult?
An intense pain in the left arm, which does not fluctuate with changes in position and is accompanied by a feeling of general discomfort, sweating, etc. should be considered as a sign of a heart attack. To be safe, you should seek immediate medical help.
Once this diagnosis has been ruled out, an interview with your general practitioner will allow you to establish more precisely the causes of the pain. If necessary, depending on the pathology, they will refer you to a specialist.
