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Are Lightheadedness While Exercising And Left Arm Pain Signs Of Heart Issues?
Question: Hi,
I have been working out regularly for over 10 years. I work out at a pretty high intensity and include cardio (180 minutes per week), strength training (3 times per week) and yoga (once per week). Recently, I noticed that I am feeling very lightheaded during my workouts. I have still been able to get my heart rate up to the 170s when running, but I feel lightheaded after. I also feel very lightheaded doing weights. I have gone to the ER for left arm pain over 5 times and they have run ECGs, bloodwork (troponin), and chest xrays. I have also gotten a CT angiogram done that came back normal. What else can I do? I am so scared that I am going to have a sudden cardiac arrest. :(
I have been working out regularly for over 10 years. I work out at a pretty high intensity and include cardio (180 minutes per week), strength training (3 times per week) and yoga (once per week). Recently, I noticed that I am feeling very lightheaded during my workouts. I have still been able to get my heart rate up to the 170s when running, but I feel lightheaded after. I also feel very lightheaded doing weights. I have gone to the ER for left arm pain over 5 times and they have run ECGs, bloodwork (troponin), and chest xrays. I have also gotten a CT angiogram done that came back normal. What else can I do? I am so scared that I am going to have a sudden cardiac arrest. :(
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are not cardiac related.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be cardiac related. Your performed tests can confirm this: they have excluded any possible cardiac disorders.
So relax! Nothing bad is going to happen! You are not going to have any cardiac arrest!
I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause:
1- complete blood count for anemia
2- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
3- cortisol plasma levels for possible adrenal gland dysfunction
4- respiratory function tests for any possible lung disorder
5- a cervical spine X ray study to exclude possible spondylarthrosis, which can lead to dizziness during head movements and physical exertion.
I would also advise consulting with an ENT specialist and perform labirynthine tests to exclude possible inner ear disorder. You should know that these disorders are the main cause of dizziness, especially in young persons and are exacerbated by body and head movements (like during physical exertion).
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Your symptoms are not cardiac related.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!
I carefully passed through your question and would explain that your symptoms do not seem to be cardiac related. Your performed tests can confirm this: they have excluded any possible cardiac disorders.
So relax! Nothing bad is going to happen! You are not going to have any cardiac arrest!
I would recommend performing further tests to investigate for the possible cause:
1- complete blood count for anemia
2- thyroid hormone levels for possible thyroid dysfunction
3- cortisol plasma levels for possible adrenal gland dysfunction
4- respiratory function tests for any possible lung disorder
5- a cervical spine X ray study to exclude possible spondylarthrosis, which can lead to dizziness during head movements and physical exertion.
I would also advise consulting with an ENT specialist and perform labirynthine tests to exclude possible inner ear disorder. You should know that these disorders are the main cause of dizziness, especially in young persons and are exacerbated by body and head movements (like during physical exertion).
You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.
Hope to have been helpful!
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I just tried running again and could barely make it through 2 miles without getting lightheaded and my middle finger on my left side started hurting. Is it possible that my heart valves arent working right?
Brief Answer:
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would explain that your symptoms do not indicate any valvular disorder.
I would also exclude myocardial ischemia too, as all your tests have resulted normal.
I would recommend performing a cervical spine X ray study, because a slipped disc can cause radiating radicular pain in the army and finger.
Anyway , this is not anything serious. So just relax.
Anxiety can also mimic this clinical situation.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
My answer as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I would explain that your symptoms do not indicate any valvular disorder.
I would also exclude myocardial ischemia too, as all your tests have resulted normal.
I would recommend performing a cervical spine X ray study, because a slipped disc can cause radiating radicular pain in the army and finger.
Anyway , this is not anything serious. So just relax.
Anxiety can also mimic this clinical situation.
Hope to have been helpful!
Best wishes,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
One last thing. Since I have been very concerned, i have been feeling my pulse and just noticed that the vein in my left neck feels prominent. I also noticed this in a picture taken a few weeks ago. Could this be my jugular vein and is this concerning?
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would recommend performing a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical vessels in order to examine better your neck vessels.
It is true that the main veins in your neck are the jugular veins, but there are many physiological conditions that lead to an increased blood flow in these veins (making them more prominent). This may occur in physical and emotional stress in healthy individuals.
So relax! Take a deep breath and try not to think about these concerns.
I can assure you that nothing serious is going on!
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
I would explain as follows:
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I understand your concern and would recommend performing a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical vessels in order to examine better your neck vessels.
It is true that the main veins in your neck are the jugular veins, but there are many physiological conditions that lead to an increased blood flow in these veins (making them more prominent). This may occur in physical and emotional stress in healthy individuals.
So relax! Take a deep breath and try not to think about these concerns.
I can assure you that nothing serious is going on!
Hope to have clarified some of your uncertainties!
Regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Does this look like the jugular or could it be a muscle?
Brief Answer:
It seems to be just a muscle.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am sorry, because I didn't see your uploaded picture before. I carefully reviewed it now and would explain that it seems to be sternocleidomaistoideus muscle, which is the biggest muscle in this region and helps turn the head to the right and to the left.
I do not think that there is any need for further tests (Doppler).
Just relax! You have nothing to worry about!
Greetings,
Dr. Iliri
It seems to be just a muscle.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I am sorry, because I didn't see your uploaded picture before. I carefully reviewed it now and would explain that it seems to be sternocleidomaistoideus muscle, which is the biggest muscle in this region and helps turn the head to the right and to the left.
I do not think that there is any need for further tests (Doppler).
Just relax! You have nothing to worry about!
Greetings,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Should i not be concerned at all? I was goin to the doctor for a distended jugular?g
Brief Answer:
You have nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I can assure you that it is just the posterior part of sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
So you have nothing to worry about! There is no need to go to the doctor for further tests.
Just relax! I can assure you about that, based on the photo you uploaded.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
You have nothing to worry about!
Detailed Answer:
Hello again!
I can assure you that it is just the posterior part of sternocleidomastoideus muscle.
So you have nothing to worry about! There is no need to go to the doctor for further tests.
Just relax! I can assure you about that, based on the photo you uploaded.
Kind regards,
Dr. Iliri
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks. I apologize for being a worry wort. It is part of my poblem. r
Brief Answer:
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful!
You have nothing to apologize for!
I am always here to help you with your uncertainties!
Best wishes,
Dr.Iliri
You are welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I am glad to have been helpful!
You have nothing to apologize for!
I am always here to help you with your uncertainties!
Best wishes,
Dr.Iliri
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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