Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Left-sided Neck, Shoulder, Arm Pain Post Coronary Stenting?
Question: my husband [54 yrs old now] had a heart attack 2 yrs ago. they did a heart XXXXXXX and found a 99% blockade and put a stent in. he has been doing ok until about a week ago. started hurting in his neck, shoulder, arm and armpit all on the left side. it got so bad he went to the ER. they ran a lot of tests, blood, ekg, chest xray. all came back fine. in the mean time while waiting for the results they gave him a shot of morphine [all that did was give him a headache] they then gave him, in all, 3 nitro tabs which eased they pain from a 10 to a 2 he said. they decided to do a heart XXXXXXX again just to be on the safe side. came out and said his heart was fine, no blockages and no sign of heart damage. told him he could go home.
after he went thru the recovery process i took him home. on the way we got a call from another doctor [his endocrinologist] he is taking testosterone shots for low testosterone. he had some blood work done there to check his levels 3 days prior to the er visit. his doctor told him the results were back and that his blood was too thick and he was producing too much and should consider donating blood at the red cross at least every two month.
my question is: could the thick blood have anything to do with the pains he is having on his left side?
after he went thru the recovery process i took him home. on the way we got a call from another doctor [his endocrinologist] he is taking testosterone shots for low testosterone. he had some blood work done there to check his levels 3 days prior to the er visit. his doctor told him the results were back and that his blood was too thick and he was producing too much and should consider donating blood at the red cross at least every two month.
my question is: could the thick blood have anything to do with the pains he is having on his left side?
Brief Answer:
Yes, thick blood can easily clot!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what your husband experienced. I have reviewed the information and thick blood can cause these symptoms. This is because thick blood flows very sluggishly and can easily clot in the vessels causing signs and symptoms suggestive of a heart attack or angina pains. This is the most likely cause of his symptoms and more so because the cardiac catheterization didn’t show any blockage. Testosterone is possible contributing and the possibility of polycythemia vera ( a disease condition in which too much red blood cells are produced) should be evaluated.
I hope this helps. I wish you and your husband well. If there is need for more information and clarifications, please do let me know.
Yes, thick blood can easily clot!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about what your husband experienced. I have reviewed the information and thick blood can cause these symptoms. This is because thick blood flows very sluggishly and can easily clot in the vessels causing signs and symptoms suggestive of a heart attack or angina pains. This is the most likely cause of his symptoms and more so because the cardiac catheterization didn’t show any blockage. Testosterone is possible contributing and the possibility of polycythemia vera ( a disease condition in which too much red blood cells are produced) should be evaluated.
I hope this helps. I wish you and your husband well. If there is need for more information and clarifications, please do let me know.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
thank you. that helps. should he do as
endocrinologist suggests and donate blood or should he be on a blood thinner?
endocrinologist suggests and donate blood or should he be on a blood thinner?
Brief Answer:
I will recommend frequent blood donation as a reasonable start.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will recommend frequent donation as a reasonable start. However, care must be taken to investigate and establish the exact cause of this increased red cell mass. If frequent donations fail to resolve the problem of high viscosity with increased potential for blood clots, I will recommend that blood thinners should be added to the regimen.
Keep me posted and until next I wish him well.
I will recommend frequent blood donation as a reasonable start.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
I will recommend frequent donation as a reasonable start. However, care must be taken to investigate and establish the exact cause of this increased red cell mass. If frequent donations fail to resolve the problem of high viscosity with increased potential for blood clots, I will recommend that blood thinners should be added to the regimen.
Keep me posted and until next I wish him well.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
