Too often, when you experience pain, you chalk it up to a tough day at the gym or a bump from playing with your kids. However, pain can be a sign that something is wrong in your body. Specifically, left arm pain can be a sign of cardiac arrest or other heart problems.
What is Cardiac Arrest?
As cardiac issues are the number-one killer of American adults, it’s very important to be aware of the signs and get help when needed. Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops, often leading to the death of the victim if help is not sought immediately.
It may be caused by a blockage of blood flow that stops blood from getting to the heart. If the situation is caught early and the victim receives prompt medical attention, patients may recover fully from cardiac arrest.
A recent study by the Survey of Anesthesiology indicates that early, mild therapeutic hypothermia may improve outcomes from cardiac arrest, showing how important early treatment is.
Why Cardiac Arrest Can Cause Left Arm Pain
Left arm pain is one of the most distinctive symptoms of a heart attack or cardiac arrest. Pain caused by a heart attack may be transmitted to nerves in your left arm by the central nervous system.
In fact, it’s extremely common to have arm pain during a heart attack. Men are statistically more likely to have pain in their left arm, while women may experience pain in either their right arm or left arm.
Pay Attention to Arm Pain
If you start feeling unexplained arm pain, it’s important to sit up and take notice. If left arm pain occurs concurrently with chest pain, you may want to seek immediate medical care. However, for many people, no chest pain is present during a heart attack, so this isn’t a clear-cut decision.
Pain may occur in other parts of the body during cardiac arrest. Pain in the stomach, jaw, shoulders, or neck may be indicative of heart problems. In some instances, heart attacks do not even cause pain. They may cause discomfort or nausea, or you may simply feel “off.”
Being in touch with your body can help you watch out for the signs of a heart attack. You know what arm pain feels like the day after a long hike or a tough workout. If pain is caused by a heart attack, it will likely feel different and stick with you throughout the day. When in doubt, seeking the help of a doctor or other medical professional may put your mind at ease.
Heart attacks can be extremely serious and even life-threatening, so it’s important to be well aware of the symptoms of one. If you have a family history of cardiac issues or heart attacks, you should definitely take left arm pain seriously. The help of a medical expert can minimize long-term effects and keep you healthy.
http://myheartsisters.org/2013/07/10/arm-pain-during-heart-attack/
http://www.livestrong.com/article/225053-how-to-know-if-left-arm-pain-is-heart-related/
