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What Causes Dizziness, Artery Issues, Pain In Back And Left Arm?
Question: I'm trying to understand what's going on with me. and what's exactly causing my symptoms. along with my dizziness I'm wondering if there's any possible relationship between my heart or arteries and me getting this fullness/pain in my upper center back and down my left arm when ever I exercise at all. should I be worried. is almost every time. this is why I wanted a ct angiogram but not sure if that's necessary. please help
Brief Answer:
No need for CT angiography
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In your age heart artery problems are unlikely, usually such complaints are caused by spine problems. But if you are worried too much you can have a stress test done, if it is normal, there is absolutely no need for CT angiography. Usually CT angiography is indicated when a patient has a positive stress test for ischemia.
Take care
Come back if you have any further questions
No need for CT angiography
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
In your age heart artery problems are unlikely, usually such complaints are caused by spine problems. But if you are worried too much you can have a stress test done, if it is normal, there is absolutely no need for CT angiography. Usually CT angiography is indicated when a patient has a positive stress test for ischemia.
Take care
Come back if you have any further questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I had a stress test about a year ago when the dizziness started and it was normal. how often would i need one. and I have had a xray of my spine
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
In your age there is no need to repeat stress test at least for 5 years if it was normal once. If XRays was normal, then maybe it is a functional problem.
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
In your age there is no need to repeat stress test at least for 5 years if it was normal once. If XRays was normal, then maybe it is a functional problem.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have read about stress tests being very unreliable. you don't think there's any way that any of these symptoms are heart-related?
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Stress tests have good reliability to rule out heart problems when negative, when the results are posituve, it can be false positive, so we ho for further tests and sometimes we have non conclusive results, in this case we either proceed with further tests, or repeat it in 6 months if there is low cardiovascular risk. In your case it was negative, so we can rely on the results.
Of course it is not possible to say online for 100% when you don't see the patient, but I can say that heart problem is not likely in your case, as you have low cardiovascular risk and negative stress test.
Even if you have normal X Rays of the spine,it can be a functional problem related either to spine, or muscles or nerves.
I would advise you to take Ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day, after the meal, unless you have any contraindication or allergy to it. And do special exercises for neck and spine for 6 months, try to have correct posture always, sit on the chair, instead of the sofa, be much in the fresh air, avoid stress, do some light sport.
Take care and don't worry so much
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
Stress tests have good reliability to rule out heart problems when negative, when the results are posituve, it can be false positive, so we ho for further tests and sometimes we have non conclusive results, in this case we either proceed with further tests, or repeat it in 6 months if there is low cardiovascular risk. In your case it was negative, so we can rely on the results.
Of course it is not possible to say online for 100% when you don't see the patient, but I can say that heart problem is not likely in your case, as you have low cardiovascular risk and negative stress test.
Even if you have normal X Rays of the spine,it can be a functional problem related either to spine, or muscles or nerves.
I would advise you to take Ibuprofen 400 mg three times a day, after the meal, unless you have any contraindication or allergy to it. And do special exercises for neck and spine for 6 months, try to have correct posture always, sit on the chair, instead of the sofa, be much in the fresh air, avoid stress, do some light sport.
Take care and don't worry so much
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
ok. I know what you've already told me but I'm really getting concerned. my left arm is hurting worse and worse and I don't know if it's related or just a coincidence but it's now going into my jaw. I'm not sure at what point I should I worry. I don't want to overlook something because of my age.
Brief Answer:
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
You should see a doctor to find out the cause of the pain of your arm, there could be inflammation or something else. If your arm aching constantly, you should receive a treatment. You should know that there are many causes for arm pain and heart issues are not the most frequent causes for arm pain. And pain related to heart doesn't last more than 15 minutes otherwise a patient develop a heart attack, in this case pain can be released only by strong medications in the hospital, and there are ECG changes and many other symptoms. If your complaints lasts more than 15 minutes and they disappear by themself or with the painkillers it is not a heart issue. Especially if the ECG is normal. I would advise you to see a doctor to find out the cause and receive a treatment instead of suffering from the pain.
Take care
Welcome back
Detailed Answer:
You should see a doctor to find out the cause of the pain of your arm, there could be inflammation or something else. If your arm aching constantly, you should receive a treatment. You should know that there are many causes for arm pain and heart issues are not the most frequent causes for arm pain. And pain related to heart doesn't last more than 15 minutes otherwise a patient develop a heart attack, in this case pain can be released only by strong medications in the hospital, and there are ECG changes and many other symptoms. If your complaints lasts more than 15 minutes and they disappear by themself or with the painkillers it is not a heart issue. Especially if the ECG is normal. I would advise you to see a doctor to find out the cause and receive a treatment instead of suffering from the pain.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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