Abnormal pain in the left arm (which may range from the shoulder to the hand), along with chest pain, may be a sign of myocardial infarction. Reminder on what a heart attack is, its risk factors and its symptoms.
What is a myocardial infarction?
When the coronary artery (which feeds the heart with blood) is obstructed, it is the infarction. Deprived of oxygen, the heart muscle necroses and its functioning is disrupted. The consequences are immediate with arrhythmias can lead to heart failure.
Heart attack: risk factors
The causes of a heart attack are multiple but the risk is increased in case of smoking, diabetes, cholesterol, hypertension or obesity. Lack of physical exercise and family history are also involved. Finally, age and sex also have an impact on the risk of suffering from a heart attack.
Men have 4 times more risk of having a heart attack but the probability is equivalent for both sexes after 55 years. It is also observed an increase in the proportion of young women affectedthe latter also being more and more numerous to suffer from obesity or to smoke.
Common signs of heart attack and atypical symptoms
The most common symptoms of heart attack are:
Severe and persistent pain in the chest (more than 15 minutes)
A feeling of tightness or a feeling of having the rib cage caught in a vice
There are, however, others that may go unnoticed and whose importance is often overlooked. It should be kept in mind that a heart attack is not always preceded by visible symptoms.
Shortness of breath
Arm pain and/or tingling, numbness in the arm
Signs of heart attack in a woman
In women in particular, the heart attack can be preceded by harmless signs that we are often too quick to attribute to fatigue. While great fatigue can itself be an early symptom of a heart attack, in the same way as insomnia, pain in the back, neck or shoulders, but also breathing difficulties and a persistent cough. In the hours leading up to the heart attack, women also often report dizziness or nausea.
How to know if a pain in the arm is muscular or cardiac?
It is sometimes difficult to identify, at first sight, the origin of a pain. But it is the conditions of appearance of this pain, its evolution, the way in which it is relieved, or not, and especially the associated symptoms which make it possible to move towards one cause rather than another.
Who to consult in case of left arm pain?
If a myocardial infarction is suspected, because of the type of pain and the associated symptoms, it is then imperative to dial 15. Rapid treatment is essential.
When it comes to muscle pain, you must first make an appointment with the general practitioner.
Where is the pain in the left arm in case of infarction? What type of pain is it?
arm pain left can be a precursor to a heart attack, even before the appearance of chest signs. It appears suddenly and especially for no apparent reason (no fall or shock). It is indeed the left arm, which is located on the side of the heart. But the right arm can also be affected! We then say that the pain is “projected”, its origin is indeed thoracic but it will be perceived in the arm or even in the jaw.
It is therefore necessary to be very attentive to these signs and to contact an emergency service if this radiating pain persists and other symptoms appear. Responsiveness and rapid care, within 90 minutes, to hope for complete recovery and especially before the crisis ends in heart failure.
Read also :
⋙ Cardiovascular diseases: do not underestimate the risks
⋙ A fruit could protect against cardiovascular disease: find out which one
⋙ I take charge of my heart: my prevention reflexes