Left arm pain: When to worry (2024)

FAQs

Left arm pain: When to worry? ›

Call for medical help right away or go to the emergency room if you have: Arm, shoulder or back pain that comes on suddenly, is severe, or occurs with pressure, fullness or squeezing in your chest. This may be a symptom of a heart attack.

Left arm pain — without chest pain — may be a dull ache or a shooting pain, and it may accompany other symptoms, such as headaches and muscle weakness. If the pain is severe or persistent, see a doctor. Seek emergency care if the pain results from trauma or if there are any symptoms of a stroke or heart attack.

Left arm pain is probably not a result of heart problems if it has the following characteristics: The pain has a “stabbing” quality and lasts only a few seconds at a time. The pain only happens with movement or when touching something. The pain only occurs across a small area of the arm.

If you're experiencing left arm pain, anxiety could be the cause. Anxiety can cause muscles in the arm to become tense, and that tension could lead to pain. Although muscle tension — sometimes the result of anxiety — is the most likely source of arm pain, it is not the only possible cause.

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.

Signs and Symptoms of Angina

You may also have pressure, squeezing, burning, or tightness in your arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, throat, or back. Some people may have different symptoms, including shortness of breath, fatigue, weakness, and back, arm, or neck pain.

A stroke can leave you with pain in your arm and shoulder. The effects of a stroke can lead to arm muscle weakness, tightness, or to a lack of feeling in your arm. It can also lead to problems with the ball and socket joint that form your shoulder.

These may include wear and tear, overuse, injury, a pinched nerve, and certain health conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or fibromyalgia. Depending on the cause, arm pain can start suddenly or develop over time. Arm pain may be related to problems with the muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments and nerves.

Pinched nerve symptoms include: Numbness or less feeling in the area supplied by the nerve. Sharp, aching or burning pain, which may radiate outward. Tingling, or a pins and needles feeling.

Left arm pain and numbness can be a sign of a heart attack, especially if it occurs with chest pain. However, it may also indicate other issues, such as a pinched nerve, peripheral arterial disease, or Lyme disease. During a heart attack, a person may also feel pain in the shoulders, jaw, or abdomen.

Can high blood pressure cause left arm pain? ›

When enough plaque builds up, or a clump of it comes loose, to completely block an artery to your heart, it can cause a heart attack. The blockage starves the heart muscle of oxygen and nutrients. That can hurt or destroy it. You usually feel pressure or pain in your chest, but sometimes in your arm, neck, or jaw too.

In fact, many people mistake gas chest pain for a cardiac issue due to the overlapping symptoms. However, heart attacks involve symptoms that gas does not cause, such as pain radiating to other areas of the body, including the back, neck, arms, or jaw.

There are many different causes of arm pain. The most common include injuries of the cervical spine or Rotator Cuff, cervical stenosis, bursitis, Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, referred pain, and autoimmune diseases. Arm pain at night is a warning signal that you have a problem that requires attention.

If the pain worsens with movement or when lifting something, it could be muscular. Otherwise, consider a pressure or tightness in your chest and pain or heaviness in your arms as possible heart attack symptoms and get medical attention immediately.

Pain in the left arm that comes and goes is a possible sign of a heart attack. However, other conditions, such as an injury or a pinched nerve, can also cause this type of pain. If a person feels short of breath or has discomfort or pain in their chest or upper body, they should call 911 immediately.

Poor circulation. Poor circulation in the left arm from a blood clot or thrombosis can leave the arm feeling heavy and cause tingling or swelling. It may also alter hand color, and leave the hands with a pale or purple appearance. What to do: You should consult a doctor if you suspect poor circulation.

Persistent Pain: Unlike ordinary muscle soreness or minor discomfort that might ease with rest or posture adjustments, heart-related shoulder pain tends to be persistent. It doesn't subside easily, even when you alter your position or activity level.