Left arm tingling, numb at high Heartrate
Looking back, first signs of anything were last winter. When running, my left hand would get cold, when my right one was fine. Over the summer, I noticed my left hand would start tingling during rides. If I went really hard, it would go numb, like it was going to sleep. At rest stops, seemed like it would go numb. Really thought it was a nerve issue with hands on the handlebar type thing. Then last Thursday, I went for my first run in months. It went numb as soon as Hr hit 150. No other real discomfort. On a 1 hour TT a couple weeks ago, left arm went numb, chest felt full and the numbness seemed to be spreading to the right arm also.
So, today I see my Primary care Dr who is also a triathlete. He did the EKG with me just laying on the table, blood work, chest xray. He seemed pretty emphatic that I not ride, run, swim, anything until he could get me in to a cardiologist. I said fine, I need to cut the grass tonight anyway. He said NO! I cut the grass, how hard is it??
Cardio visit in the morning. Anybody ever had anything similiar or have any thoughts. Family history of heart issues on Fathers side. I'm hoping this is nothing, but decided to get it checked out. Dull pain just sitting on the couch is towards the front of the armpit. Thanks for any input.
Comments
Yes see cardio.
Though maybe not directly cardio related.
Left subclavian artery stenosis?
Thanks Brenda, I just had a flashback of my mom scolding me. She's about the only one whos calls me David anymore, ha! I'll do an update after the cardiologist reads the strip, but the lady doing the treadmill stress test seemed dissapointed that I didn't puke or pass out.
When she told me I would have to get my hr up to at least 140, I snickered. She ask me why and I told her that was about my warmup rate. I said we'd shoot for 170-175. After about 10 min of running, it got stuck at 169 and I told her unless she was handing out gold medals or something I didn't see I had anything else to prove. I'm sure she could have turned the treadmill speed up or made the incline more, but she didn't. My arm didn't go numb!! I suppose thats a good thing too. I still think this has to do with a pinched nerve. Should have cardiologist findings with next 24 hours. Thanks everyone for the input!
I would send you for upper extremity vascular and nerve studies. Get back to your family doc.