Resolved question:
I have numbness in my arms and hands, and i am very frightened that I have coronary artery disease or some problem with my heart. The numbness sometimes goes into my face when I exercise. I have had a normal CBC (except for high RBC), normal folate and B12, mildly elevated blood pressure and mildly high cholesterol (but high good cholesterol). The medical problem that i know that i have is severe calcifying tendinitis of the shoulders (which causes moderrate pain and for which I sometimes take Vicodin (1 pill 2-3 times a week). My question is, is there anything else that this could be besides some heart problem? I am scheduled for a stress test and a ultrasound of the shoulder, but it will be a month and I am hoping to calm down some.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
Family Physician-GP
Thank you for asking your query. I will try my best to help you with your health concern.
From your description I understand that you are concerned about the numbness in the arms and hands and its possible association with a heart problem.
It’s true that in a case of sudden heart attack (Myocardial Infraction) there can be a pain in the arm, especially in the left arm. But vice versa is not true. A pain or numbness in the arms and hand alone is no reason to suspect a heart disease.
This numbness radiating to face, while exerting strongly suggest the involvement of a nerve or a group of nerve. The calicific tendinits and related problems cause can cause these symptoms. If the pain is really troublesome this needs to be further evaluated.
But let me assure you will that this pain in the arm and hand does not indicate any heart disease. Without a clinical examination I usually hesist to give a solid opinion, but in your case after going through your description I can certainly rule out heart disease.
You did the right thing by opting for a stress test and Ultrasound of shoulder. Since you are 50+ and have mildly elevated blood pressure and cholesterol levels, it’s better to be sure about your cardiac status,
Hope this helps.
Thank you