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What Causes Intermittent Numbness In The Left Arm Along With Fainting?

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Posted on Mon, 18 Sep 2017
Question: seem to have numbness in left arm, and faintness. that comes and goes away? I have had this happen overr the past 6 mos. and have not lost conciseness. I take meds for blood pressure and am regulated to 128/65
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
I would explain as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM!

Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to different possible causes:

- epilepsy partial seizures
- transient ischemic attacks (TIA)
- a cardiac arrhythmia
- coronary artery disease can not be excluded either, although your symptoms are not typical of this disorder (no chest pain, no shortness of breath, etc.).

For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests:

- a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes
- a cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function and structure
- a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical arteries to examine the blood flow in them and exclude possible narrowing
- an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia
- an EEG for possible seizures
- a brain MRI or CT scan may be needed in case of abnormal physical exam or EEG.

Some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, fasting glucose and HbA1C levels for diabetes and blood electrolytes for possible imbalance) are necessary too.

You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues.

Hope to have been helpful to you!

Kind regards,

Dr. Iliri


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Ilir Sharka (1 hour later)
Seems to happen an go away. Is this a heart attack? Happens mostly when I am tired.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Ilir Sharka (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
My opinion as follows:

Detailed Answer:
Hello again!

Thank you for the additional information.

Your complaints are not typical of any heart attack.

But, I would recommend performing the above mentioned tests to investigate for the possible causes.

Hope you will find this answer helpful!

Wishing good health,

Dr. Iliri
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Ilir Sharka

Cardiologist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 9534 Questions

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What Causes Intermittent Numbness In The Left Arm Along With Fainting?

Brief Answer: I would explain as follows: Detailed Answer: Hello! Welcome and thank you for asking on HCM! Regarding your concern, I would explain that your symptoms could be related to different possible causes: - epilepsy partial seizures - transient ischemic attacks (TIA) - a cardiac arrhythmia - coronary artery disease can not be excluded either, although your symptoms are not typical of this disorder (no chest pain, no shortness of breath, etc.). For this reason, I would recommend consulting with your attending physician for a careful physical exam and some tests: - a resting ECG and cardiac enzymes - a cardiac ultrasound to examine your heart function and structure - a Doppler ultrasound of the cervical arteries to examine the blood flow in them and exclude possible narrowing - an ambulatory 24-48 hours ECG monitoring to examine your heart rhythm trends and exclude possible cardiac arrhythmia - an EEG for possible seizures - a brain MRI or CT scan may be needed in case of abnormal physical exam or EEG. Some blood lab tests (complete blood count for anemia, fasting glucose and HbA1C levels for diabetes and blood electrolytes for possible imbalance) are necessary too. You should discuss with your doctor on the above issues. Hope to have been helpful to you! Kind regards, Dr. Iliri