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Suggest Treatment For Chest Tightness And Numbness In Legs And Arms
Question: I am 60 years old, very active and in good health, but for the last week I have had a slight tightness in my chest and fluttering. Sometimes I have a slight numbness in my legs and arms. Otherwise, I feel fine. Should I be concerned and see my doctor?
Brief Answer:
Cardiac check-up
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Mrs.! Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I am Dr. Meriton. I understand your concern.
A chest tightness or heaviness, which starts on the mid chest and radiates to both parts of the chest, jaw, and left shoulder, and is triggered by exercise and stopped by ceasing the exercise, is the description of angina (pain originated from a stable coronary artery blockage or narrowing). However, I would recommend you to see a doctor, due to your age of 60 years old, and some tests should be run:
- EKG: to assess the acute or remote pathological electrical changes in your heart, if they are present
- echocardiogram: to assess the motility, size and function of the heart chambers, and also assess the function of the heart valves
- cardiac stress test: to assess if there is a possibility for a coronary artery blockage.
If the latter results positive, coronary angiogram would be in order.
As for the fluttering sensation, I would recommend you to be put on an episode rhythm monitor registration (a machine which is turned on and off by the user, when the symptoms are present), also blood levels of TSH, fT3, fT4.
As for the numbness of legs and arms, please be aware that if these phenomena happen right after you sense the chest pain and fluttering, then they could come from the anxiety you experience from these worrisome events to you. If the numbness is constantly there, or at certain times a day, I would kindly ask for more information in order to address this issue.
Last, but not least, I wrote down the series of tests more to exclude or confirm the cardiac origin of your complaints, since the age of 60 years old is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is more like a check-up that every individual of your age should have, if they have complaints like yours, and not for you to be concerned and worried.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I wish you a good health. If you have further questions, I would happy to help.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Cardiac check-up
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Mrs.! Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I am Dr. Meriton. I understand your concern.
A chest tightness or heaviness, which starts on the mid chest and radiates to both parts of the chest, jaw, and left shoulder, and is triggered by exercise and stopped by ceasing the exercise, is the description of angina (pain originated from a stable coronary artery blockage or narrowing). However, I would recommend you to see a doctor, due to your age of 60 years old, and some tests should be run:
- EKG: to assess the acute or remote pathological electrical changes in your heart, if they are present
- echocardiogram: to assess the motility, size and function of the heart chambers, and also assess the function of the heart valves
- cardiac stress test: to assess if there is a possibility for a coronary artery blockage.
If the latter results positive, coronary angiogram would be in order.
As for the fluttering sensation, I would recommend you to be put on an episode rhythm monitor registration (a machine which is turned on and off by the user, when the symptoms are present), also blood levels of TSH, fT3, fT4.
As for the numbness of legs and arms, please be aware that if these phenomena happen right after you sense the chest pain and fluttering, then they could come from the anxiety you experience from these worrisome events to you. If the numbness is constantly there, or at certain times a day, I would kindly ask for more information in order to address this issue.
Last, but not least, I wrote down the series of tests more to exclude or confirm the cardiac origin of your complaints, since the age of 60 years old is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. It is more like a check-up that every individual of your age should have, if they have complaints like yours, and not for you to be concerned and worried.
I hope I was helpful with my answer. I wish you a good health. If you have further questions, I would happy to help.
Best regards,
Dr. Meriton
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Answered by
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