How do I know if my arm and shoulder pain is heart related?

The main difference is how pain radiates.
  1. For men: Pain will spread to the left shoulder, down the left arm or up to the chin.
  2. For women: Pain can be much more subtle. It may travel to the left or right arm, up to the chin, shoulder blades and upper back — or to abdomen (as nausea and/or indigestion and anxiety).

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What does shoulder and arm pain feel like during heart attack?

It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

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What does shoulder pain from heart problems feel like?

Sudden left shoulder pain can sometimes be a sign of a heart attack. Call 911 or your local emergency number if you have sudden pressure or crushing pain in your shoulder, especially if the pain runs from your chest to the left jaw, arm or neck, or occurs with shortness of breath, dizziness, or sweating.

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What does cardiac pain in the arm feel like?

In men, the left arm pain will move from the shoulder down the left arm or up to the chin. If the pain comes on suddenly and is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure or squeezing in the chest, seek emergency treatment immediately. In women, the pain can be subtler. It can radiate to the right or left arm.

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Which arm usually hurts before a heart attack?

chest pain – a feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest. pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy.

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Heart Attack: Early Signs and Symptoms - Lakeview Hospital

23 related questions found

What is a pre heart attack?

Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms – Female

Men may feel pain and numbness in the left arm or the side of the chest. In women, these symptoms may appear on the right side. Women may experience unexplained exhaustion, or feel drained, dizzy or nauseous. Women may feel upper back pain that travels up into their jaw.

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Can your arm hurt for days before heart attack?

“I understand that heart attacks have beginnings and on occasion, signs of an impending heart attack may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, shoulder and/or arm pain and weakness. These may occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack.

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What does a blocked artery in arm feel like?

You may not always feel pain; instead you may feel tightness, heaviness, cramping, or weakness in your arm. Other symptoms of arm artery disease include finger pain, sensitivity to cold in your hands, fingers that turn blue or pale, and lack of a pulse in your wrist or your hand.

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What are the symptoms of a heart problem in a woman?

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  • Neck, jaw, shoulder, upper back or upper belly (abdomen) discomfort.
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain in one or both arms.
  • Nausea or vomiting.
  • Sweating.
  • Lightheadedness or dizziness.
  • Unusual fatigue.
  • Heartburn (indigestion)

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How do you check for a heart blockage at home?

Official answer. You can check for heart disease at home by measuring your pulse rate and your blood pressure if you have a blood pressure monitor. You can also monitor yourself for symptoms of heart disease, such as: Chest pain, pressure, discomfort, or tightness.

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What are red flags for shoulder pain?

Look for the following red flags that indicate the need for urgent investigations and/or referral to secondary care: acute presentation with a history of trauma (especially if pain restricts all passive and active movements); systemic symptoms such as fever, night sweats, weight loss, or new respiratory symptoms; ...

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Can a blocked artery cause shoulder pain?

Plaque is a wax-like substance that prevents these arteries from sending oxygen-rich blood to the heart. Angina usually feels like pressure or squeezing in your chest. The NHLBI notes that you may also feel pain and discomfort in nearby areas, including: Shoulders.

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When should I worry about left arm and shoulder pain?

Seek emergency treatment if you have:

Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest (this may signal a heart attack)

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How long does your body warn you before a heart attack?

A heart attack may strike suddenly, but most people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks beforehand. One of the earliest warning signs of an impending heart attack is chest pain, or angina, that occurs repeatedly because of exertion and is then eased by rest.

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What are 3 early signs of a heart attack?

What are the symptoms of heart attack?
  • Chest pain or discomfort. ...
  • Feeling weak, light-headed, or faint. ...
  • Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
  • Shortness of breath.

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How long does your left arm hurt before a heart attack?

Often, an initial symptom of a heart attack is sudden left arm pain that gets increasingly intense over the course of a few minutes. Other symptoms of heart attack are: discomfort/pressure in the center of the chest. discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, or stomach.

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How do you tell if you're starting to have heart problems?

Symptoms
  • Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina)
  • Shortness of breath.
  • Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back.
  • Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.

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What are the early signs of heart blockage?

Symptoms
  • Chest pain (angina). You may feel pressure or tightness in your chest. ...
  • Shortness of breath. You may feel like you can't catch your breath.
  • Fatigue. If the heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs, you may feel unusually tired.
  • Heart attack.

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What can be mistaken for heart problems?

13 Conditions That Can Be Mistaken for Heart Failure
  • Impaired Kidneys Can Mimic Heart Failure. ...
  • Cirrhosis Can Fool Heart Specialists. ...
  • Lung Issues Cause Shortness of Breath. ...
  • Anemia Masquerades as Heart Failure. ...
  • Lymphedema Looks Like Heart Failure. ...
  • ATTR-CM Can Cause Heart Failure. ...
  • Bulimia Nervosa Can Also Lead to HF.

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Can an ECG detect a blocked artery?

A health care provider might use an electrocardiogram to determine or detect: Irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) If blocked or narrowed arteries in the heart (coronary artery disease) are causing chest pain or a heart attack. Whether you have had a previous heart attack.

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What does a small heart blockage feel like?

Small vessel disease signs and symptoms include: Chest pain, squeezing or discomfort (angina), which may get worse with activity or emotional stress. Discomfort in the left arm, jaw, neck, back or abdomen along with chest pain. Shortness of breath.

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Can you feel a partially blocked artery?

The symptoms of an artery blockage include chest pain and tightness, and shortness of breath.

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What happens a week before a heart attack?

Some heart attacks strike suddenly. But many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Chest pain or pressure (angina) that keeps happening and doesn't go away with rest may be an early warning sign.

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Can you have a heart attack for days and not know?

Can you have a heart attack and not know it? Yes. A heart attack can actually happen without a person knowing it. You can understand why it is called a "silent" heart attack.

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How do I know if my arm pain is serious?

Seek emergency treatment if you have:
  1. Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is unusually severe, or is accompanied by pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest (this may signal a heart attack)
  2. An obvious deformity or protruding bone in your arm or wrist, especially if you have bleeding or other injuries.

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