Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNon-Heart Attack CausesHeart Attack and Arm PainHow to Get a DiagnosisTreatmentPrevention and Resuming Normal Activity
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Non-Heart Attack Causes
Heart Attack and Arm Pain
How to Get a Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention and Resuming Normal Activity
Several conditions or injuries can cause left arm pain, ranging from mild to severe. While it is often associated with a heart attack–where it may signal a serious cardiac event—left arm pain can also result from musculoskeletal issues, nerve-related problems, and other non-heart attack reasons.
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Non-Heart-Attack Causes of Left Arm Pain
Bursitis
Bursitisis an inflammation of a small fluid-filled sac between bones, called abursa. It occurs from joint overuse or injury and tends to happen in the knee or elbow. The symptoms of bursitis include swelling and pain. When it affects the left elbow, it can causeleft arm pain.
Injury
A broken bone can cause significant pain, swelling, and bruising and may produce a noticeably out-of-place bone or joint. Fractures can occur from falls, accidents, or traumas.
Tendonitis is an overuse injury that causes pain and soreness around a joint. It can cause left arm pain when the tendonitis occurs in the left wrist, shoulder, or elbow. Elbow tendinitis is also known as tennis elbow or golfer’s elbow.
Peripheral Neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathyis a condition that affects how the nerves carry signals between the spinal cord and the body. When someone has this condition, their nerves do not work properly, which can cause symptoms such as:
There are several causes of peripheral neuropathy.Diabetesis one of its primary causes. When the nerves in the left arm are affected, arm pain can occur.
Herniated Disk
Disks separate the bones within the spine (vertebrae). They help provide movement for the vertebrae and protection for the spinal cord. When adiscslips out of place, it is called aherniated disc. This can result from an injury, lifting heavy items, or repetitive bending movements.
When the herniated disk occurs in the neck, it can cause pain in the arm, neck, shoulder, and fingers.
Heart Attack With Left Arm Pain but No Chest Pain
Heart attacksdo not always produce chest pain. When one doesn’t, it is called asilent heart attack. Despite its name, it is just as serious a heart attack that does cause chest pain.
The symptoms of a silent heart attack may include chest pain, but the pain may come and go. Or the chest may feel uncomfortable instead of painful. Sometimes, this is confused with indigestion.
Other signs of a silent heart attack are pain in other areas of the body. These other areas include:
Cold sweats, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing are other symptoms of a silent heart attack.
Call 911 immediately if you or someone you know are experiencing the above symptoms.
How Pain Causes Anxiety and PanicPain andanxietyoften go hand in hand. This is due to how the brain is wired. The areas in the brain that producepainalso produce anxiety and depression.
How Pain Causes Anxiety and Panic
Pain andanxietyoften go hand in hand. This is due to how the brain is wired. The areas in the brain that producepainalso produce anxiety and depression.
Left arm pain can be a vague symptom that is difficult to diagnose. Pain that has an obvious cause, like an injury or accident, will be diagnosed based on the patient’s verbal history, examination, and any necessary imaging. Imaging can include magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an X-ray, or a computed tomography (CT) scan.
When left arm pain does not have a known cause, comes on suddenly, or is severe, seek immediate medical attention. A healthcare provider willdiagnose a heart attackbased on anelectrocardiogram (EKG)and blood tests. Additional testing, such as an X-ray, CT scan, or stress test, may assess the extent of heart damage.
Treatment for left arm pain without chest pain will depend on the cause.
If the pain is because of a heart attack, treatment will include one or more of the following:
Treatment for bursitis and injuries will include rest, ice, and pain medication. Depending on the severity, additional treatment may be necessary.
Herniated disc treatment includes rest and physical therapy. It may also require medications, injections, and lifestyle treatments.
Peripheral neuropathy treatment will focus on removing or relieving the cause of neuropathy, medication, or even surgery.
Summary
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Bursitis.MedlinePlus.Broken bone.MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Herniated disk.Penn Medicine.4 silent heart attack signs.Harvard Health Publishing.Pain, anxiety, and depression.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: treatment.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.MedlinePlus.Bursitis.MedlinePlus.Broken bone.MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Herniated disk.Penn Medicine.4 silent heart attack signs.Harvard Health Publishing.Pain, anxiety, and depression.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: treatment.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
MedlinePlus.Bursitis.MedlinePlus.Broken bone.MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.MedlinePlus.Herniated disk.Penn Medicine.4 silent heart attack signs.Harvard Health Publishing.Pain, anxiety, and depression.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: diagnosis.National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: treatment.
MedlinePlus.Bursitis.
MedlinePlus.Broken bone.
MedlinePlus.Tendinitis.
MedlinePlus.Peripheral neuropathy.
MedlinePlus.Herniated disk.
Penn Medicine.4 silent heart attack signs.
Harvard Health Publishing.Pain, anxiety, and depression.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: diagnosis.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.Heart attack: treatment.
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