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What Causes Tingling Sensation In Hands When I Get A Palpitation?
Question: Ive been getting palpitations in my heart for years. I see a cardiologist. Ive had every test, and just this year in december had a stress echocardiogram, regular echo, blood work normal, cholesterol was good, ive had several ekg's everything normal. I get PAC's & PVC's occassionally. When i get a palpitation sometimes my hands get tingly and like feel hot or flushed for a second after the palpitation. Is this a normal reaction? I usally only get the palpitations at rest. They also come and go. I could get like 3 or 4 a week then go a month without any.
Brief Answer:
If occasional with no other symptoms, it's OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Yes this is an expected reaction. When PVCs occur, the heart's rhythm is altered.
This alters the way the heart fills with blood which in turn changes how much it pumps out.
When there is slight reduction in blood flow, there can slight tingling which is momentary followed by the readjustment of blood supply that gives a flushed feeling.
This is OK, if it occurs occasionally. Too frequent, like every hour or if it is compromises blood flow to vital organs like brain, kidney (giddiness, vision disturbances, fainting spells, chest pain, prolonged numbness in arms and hands) warrants a visit to your cardiologist/ER.
If it occurs at rest, more specifically when you lie down, dynamic changes in the way the blood flows back to the heart can trigger this. If so, practice sitting for a few minutes before you slowly recline to lie down.
Thyroid hormone imbalances, anemia, certain common medications (those for cough, asthma, headaches), too much caffeine, sugar may trigger/predispose to these episodes.
I recommend getting your blood checked for thyroid problem & anemia (if not done already).
Limiting caffeine, sugar and checking with your doc about any medications that may trigger this can help prevent the palpitations.
Hope this helps and that I've answered your queries.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with?
If not please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
If occasional with no other symptoms, it's OK
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.
Yes this is an expected reaction. When PVCs occur, the heart's rhythm is altered.
This alters the way the heart fills with blood which in turn changes how much it pumps out.
When there is slight reduction in blood flow, there can slight tingling which is momentary followed by the readjustment of blood supply that gives a flushed feeling.
This is OK, if it occurs occasionally. Too frequent, like every hour or if it is compromises blood flow to vital organs like brain, kidney (giddiness, vision disturbances, fainting spells, chest pain, prolonged numbness in arms and hands) warrants a visit to your cardiologist/ER.
If it occurs at rest, more specifically when you lie down, dynamic changes in the way the blood flows back to the heart can trigger this. If so, practice sitting for a few minutes before you slowly recline to lie down.
Thyroid hormone imbalances, anemia, certain common medications (those for cough, asthma, headaches), too much caffeine, sugar may trigger/predispose to these episodes.
I recommend getting your blood checked for thyroid problem & anemia (if not done already).
Limiting caffeine, sugar and checking with your doc about any medications that may trigger this can help prevent the palpitations.
Hope this helps and that I've answered your queries.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with?
If not please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Just the my hands and arms just tingle for a second after or feel flushed . I dont know why. I have had a complete heart work up though.
Brief Answer:
Temporary alteration in blood flow
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
It's good to hear that the complete heart work up is normal.
Have you had an angiography of the coronary blood vessels?if so, was it normal? Any narrowing or stenosis seen?
What you experience is common. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the temporary alteration in blood flow and if it isn't persistent, there is nothing to worry about.
However, if the tingling worsens with repetitive arm movements, neck extension, prolonged sitting in front of a computer, I recommend ruling out cervical spondylosis (narrowing of the space between the vertebrae of the neck) & nerve impingement.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
If not please close this discussion and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Temporary alteration in blood flow
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
It's good to hear that the complete heart work up is normal.
Have you had an angiography of the coronary blood vessels?if so, was it normal? Any narrowing or stenosis seen?
What you experience is common. As mentioned earlier, this is due to the temporary alteration in blood flow and if it isn't persistent, there is nothing to worry about.
However, if the tingling worsens with repetitive arm movements, neck extension, prolonged sitting in front of a computer, I recommend ruling out cervical spondylosis (narrowing of the space between the vertebrae of the neck) & nerve impingement.
Hope this helps.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
If not please close this discussion and rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you. No angiography. Just stress echocardiogram, plain echocardiogram, blood work, cholestrol, and i did have a ultrasound of my arteries in my neck. All which were normal. I think im just very sensitive in my heart. Even if i drink a glass of wine i can feel like a flushing through my arms its very strange. The palpitations happen maybe a couple times a month.. Some months i dont even get them. Its very strange.
Brief Answer:
Nothing to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
OK.
Wine is a vasodilator (increases the diameter of the blood vessels by relaxing it's muscle causing increased blood flow & flushed feeling).
You have nothing to worry about. Once to twice a month is absolutely normal. No need for any further investigations at this point.
Hope you continue to remain healthy. Wish you good health.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with anything else.
If not, please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Nothing to worry
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up.
OK.
Wine is a vasodilator (increases the diameter of the blood vessels by relaxing it's muscle causing increased blood flow & flushed feeling).
You have nothing to worry about. Once to twice a month is absolutely normal. No need for any further investigations at this point.
Hope you continue to remain healthy. Wish you good health.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with anything else.
If not, please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you :)
Brief Answer:
Hope you enjoy good health
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Take care
Hope you enjoy good health
Detailed Answer:
You are most welcome.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
I actually have another quick question, ive had pain for about on and off for a month in my back , right side right under my ribs where my kidney would be. My doctor did a urine culture, it was fine. I do not have a fever or anything. I notice it more after i eat. It comes and goes. I dont have a gallbladder anymore and she checked my appendix and pancreas. Ive recently had blood worrk and my liver & kidney functions were fine. I do have a small liver fatty deposit. Also i have 2 small kidney stones that have been there for over 5 years with no issues. They are extremely small and have not moved. Is your bowel that high up in your back? What could this off and on pain be caused from? She said she would order an ultrasound if it persists. Would that show my bowels?
Brief Answer:
Kidney stone displacement, duodenal ulcers, adhesions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
Pain in that area of the body is usually related to:
- kidney
- back muscles
- spine
- less frequently the duodenum, liver, gall bladder
Based on your query, I would like to rule out pain due to kidney stones, duodenal ulcers or post surgical lesions. (like adhesions)
While in the kidney, stones are usually asymptomatic. If and when it moves to the collecting area or the ureter, it can cause pain.
Duodenal ulcers may cause pain 1-2 hours after meals
Pain due to adhesions can result due to any pull or movement of the adhered organs.
Surgery like those to remove a gall bladder, especially if it was associated with complications could result in adhesions.
To answer your questions, bowels may be present that high.
Even if not present there, the pain may radiate or be felt in these areas.
Ultrasound will show some information about the bowels and can be used to screen for trapped air or obstruction but cannot be used to diagnose ulcers or adhesions.
If indicated, a CT scan would be ideal.
However, I recommend an ultrasound to rule out kidney stone displacement which is most likely.
Hope this helps and that I've answered your queries.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
If not, please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Wish you good health,
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Kidney stone displacement, duodenal ulcers, adhesions
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
Pain in that area of the body is usually related to:
- kidney
- back muscles
- spine
- less frequently the duodenum, liver, gall bladder
Based on your query, I would like to rule out pain due to kidney stones, duodenal ulcers or post surgical lesions. (like adhesions)
While in the kidney, stones are usually asymptomatic. If and when it moves to the collecting area or the ureter, it can cause pain.
Duodenal ulcers may cause pain 1-2 hours after meals
Pain due to adhesions can result due to any pull or movement of the adhered organs.
Surgery like those to remove a gall bladder, especially if it was associated with complications could result in adhesions.
To answer your questions, bowels may be present that high.
Even if not present there, the pain may radiate or be felt in these areas.
Ultrasound will show some information about the bowels and can be used to screen for trapped air or obstruction but cannot be used to diagnose ulcers or adhesions.
If indicated, a CT scan would be ideal.
However, I recommend an ultrasound to rule out kidney stone displacement which is most likely.
Hope this helps and that I've answered your queries.
Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.
If not, please close this discussion and kindly rate my answer.
Wish you good health,
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
Thank you :)
Brief Answer:
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
:-)
You are welcome
Detailed Answer:
:-)
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Deepak
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