Prelude to a heart attack?

Mikesta

Ok, so here's the deal: I'm 21 years of age, male, and overweight. I'm not morbidly obese, but I'm a big fuckin' guy. And, I've been noticing some strange stuff.

Specifically, my left arm, over the course of a couple of hours, has been feeling like there's some sort of muscle tightening. Also, when I was at the movies the other night, I started to lean on my right hand and it went numb. I could still move the fingers, but it wasn't until the next morning that all the feeling came back.

As for the arm, I can't say that the feeling has gotten worse, but it may have. It might have been a subtle change, and so difficult to track as it progressed. In any case, I'm a little worried, but it looks on Wikipedia as if the pain would have been immediate, without me being able to watch two episodes of The Shield with my arm feeling this way. So, I don't think I'm necessarily about to have a heart attack, but it could happen.

Anyway, what should I do? Should I report to a hospital right now, or just pay the doctor a visit within the next couple of days? Thanks in advance.

Fort1tude

When was your last physical? If more than 6 months I think this would warrant a trip to the doctor at the least. If you feel any actual pain or have trouble breathing dont hesitate to get someone to drive you to the emergency room.

Mikesta

Fort1tude wrote: »

When was your last physical? If more than 6 months I think this would warrant a trip to the doctor at the least. If you feel any actual pain or have trouble breathing dont hesitate to get someone to drive you to the emergency room.

Yeah, I wouldn't describe it as a pain that mimics heartburn, as the wikipedia suggests, more of a muscle tensing or tightening. It's in my left arm, which, at least, isn't my heart. Fuck, I hope I don't have to ruin the night and go to the hospital.

Incenjucar

I've had some trouble myself, lately, so went in to get a physical. The doctor asked about the kind of thing you described. My suggestion would be to get an appointment for a checkup, keep some aspirin handy, and start eating oat bran and walnuts in case it's a cholesterol problem. And, for the record, oat bran hot cereal basically just tastes like oatmeal, so it will not be very obnoxious to save your life.

The Black Hunter

I don't know if this will help but beware of finger clubbing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finger_clubbing

Apparently it's an early warning of heart and lung issues.

FirstComradeStalin

Have you had any stomach cramps?

revolve

Usually, from what I've heard(Mostly from friends and family members who have had heart attacks), the left arm "tingles" more than tenses, so they say. And your right hand going numb MIGHT have been because you leaned on your arm and pinched a nerve, or something similar. So it's probably nothing major, but still, it would not hurt at all to get something like that checked out. Better safe than sorry, they say.

Lemming

If you're also feeling tired and sweating a lot for no apparent reason, it may be cause for concern.

Tucanwarrior13

Go to the doctors man. That's the only way to find out for sure what is up. Unless someone on PA forums is a doctor and can make house calls.

Zeeb!

I don't think this sort of thing is really all that uncommon, and it's probably going to seem worse to you if you overthink it and worry too much.

That said, no one here is a doctor. Perhaps you could call yours up if you're truly concerned?

Dalboz

At 21, it would be unlikely for you to have a heart attack. Not unheard of, but still unlikely. However, you do mention you are overweight. Would I be correct in assuming that you don't have the best diet in the world or exercise much? It could be a muscle spasm that is causing the pain in your shoulder. Also, do you know what your cholesterol level and blood pressure are from a recent doctor visit? You may have poor circulation in the extremities, which could explain some of the numbness in your arm. It happens to me, too, from time to time.

My advice would be to take a little better care of yourself, and see if it works out (this is just general advice, based on what you've mentioned). From what you are describing, I doubt it's anything serious, but if it really becomes a problem or you are very concerned about it, see your doctor.