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What Causes Left Arm Pain And Heart Palpitations?
Question: For the past two days I've had left arm pain and palpitations. This afternoon, I was driving home and felt a slight pain in my left breast. It went away after a few minutes. These symptoms have happened to me off and on for the past ten years. Anxiety has been thought to be the culprit since everything else was ruled out. Last year I went to a cardiologist and wore a heart monitor and everything was fine.
My masseuse says my left shoulder blade is always tight and knotted. My doctor blames my heavy pocketbook and posture from my desk job as aggravating this pain. Over the past three months I've gained ten pounds and my blood pressure has increased slightly. How do I treat this arm and pain situation without looking like a hyperchondriac every time I worry about a heart condition or potential heart attack?
My masseuse says my left shoulder blade is always tight and knotted. My doctor blames my heavy pocketbook and posture from my desk job as aggravating this pain. Over the past three months I've gained ten pounds and my blood pressure has increased slightly. How do I treat this arm and pain situation without looking like a hyperchondriac every time I worry about a heart condition or potential heart attack?
Brief Answer:
Most probably this is anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I have read the details you provided in query and can understand your concern. In my opinion two possibilities are there for this pain. One is anxiety and other is some muscular pain. Your doctor explained that posture from your desk job is aggravating the pain and your shoulder blade remain tight. This could be a muscular pain but since the pain occur in episodes and is not continuous the chances that its muscular are less. Muscular pain usually doesn't occur in episodes and remain continuous dull aching type. Also it would have reduced in holidays too.
Now we have other possibility that is anxiety. Anxiety can cause similar presentation. Arm pain along with palpitations occurring in episodes is seen commonly in anxiety. Other things have been ruled out so we are left with anxiety. Your heart monitor revealed nothing and you are 37 F and its not common to have heart condition especially cardiovascular conditions in your age.
So you should consult a psychiatrist for opinion and evaluation. Don't feel that you are a hypochondriac. There should be no hesitation in seeking treatment. Medicines like SSRIs like Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc can help to reduce the anxiety and will help you to come out of the condition. These are safe medicines and you should consider taking them.
Thanks. Hope this helps, if you have more to ask please ask a free follow up question.
Take care
Most probably this is anxiety.
Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM
I have read the details you provided in query and can understand your concern. In my opinion two possibilities are there for this pain. One is anxiety and other is some muscular pain. Your doctor explained that posture from your desk job is aggravating the pain and your shoulder blade remain tight. This could be a muscular pain but since the pain occur in episodes and is not continuous the chances that its muscular are less. Muscular pain usually doesn't occur in episodes and remain continuous dull aching type. Also it would have reduced in holidays too.
Now we have other possibility that is anxiety. Anxiety can cause similar presentation. Arm pain along with palpitations occurring in episodes is seen commonly in anxiety. Other things have been ruled out so we are left with anxiety. Your heart monitor revealed nothing and you are 37 F and its not common to have heart condition especially cardiovascular conditions in your age.
So you should consult a psychiatrist for opinion and evaluation. Don't feel that you are a hypochondriac. There should be no hesitation in seeking treatment. Medicines like SSRIs like Fluoxetine, Paroxetine etc can help to reduce the anxiety and will help you to come out of the condition. These are safe medicines and you should consider taking them.
Thanks. Hope this helps, if you have more to ask please ask a free follow up question.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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