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What Causes Pain In Left Shoulder, Upper Arm And Shortness Of Breath?

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Posted on Fri, 20 May 2016
Question: I have had an uncomfortable ache in my left shoulder and upper arm for a couple of weeks now. Last night I was walking up some stairs and my chest started to hurt. I could barely lift my legs and had to pull myself along. I got anxious as this had not happened before. I think the anxiety made it a little hard to breathe. I took an ativan before bed and woke up feeling somewhat better. No chest. pain.


Thank you for your help. XXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Cardiac cause needs to be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
Having pain in the left arm and shoulder can be due to cardiac problem like ischemia.

The symptoms of heart attack include squeezing type of chest pain with sweating and nausea/vomiting. The predisposing factors include smoking, stress, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, increased cholesterol, etc.

Still it would be better to get the following investigations done to rule out cardiac related problems.
1. Troponin -T and CPK-MB
2. ECG in all leads with a rhythm strip in lead 2
3. Echocardiography
4. Tread mill test
5. Thallium scan (Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy)

The other possibilities that need to be ruled out with the help of your physician are muscular pain, GERD, Pleuritis, etc.

I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (25 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Practicing since :1994

Answered : 12314 Questions

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What Causes Pain In Left Shoulder, Upper Arm And Shortness Of Breath?

Brief Answer: Cardiac cause needs to be ruled out. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for posting your query. Having pain in the left arm and shoulder can be due to cardiac problem like ischemia. The symptoms of heart attack include squeezing type of chest pain with sweating and nausea/vomiting. The predisposing factors include smoking, stress, obesity, hypertension, diabetes, increased cholesterol, etc. Still it would be better to get the following investigations done to rule out cardiac related problems. 1. Troponin -T and CPK-MB 2. ECG in all leads with a rhythm strip in lead 2 3. Echocardiography 4. Tread mill test 5. Thallium scan (Myocardial perfusion scintigraphy) The other possibilities that need to be ruled out with the help of your physician are muscular pain, GERD, Pleuritis, etc. I hope this answers your query. In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out. Wishing you good health. Regards. Dr. Praveen Tayal. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal