Hi,I am Dr. Prabhakar Koregol (Cardiologist). I will be looking into your question and guiding you through the process. Please write your question below.
What Could Cause Achy Left Arm & Shortage Of Breath?
hi, im diabetic and been noticing a achy left arm and shortage of breath as well as neck pain which i usually brush off? im wondering if i could b possibly having a mild heart attack? and i have no idea what i should do because by the time i get a appointment at my clinic the symptoms will most likely gone.
Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns.
During diabetes, especially in subjects that have poorly controlled diabetes, it comes at a moment that small vessels of the body and nerves become affected. Therefore, it is not surprising that a diabetic patient lacks the specific symptom of coronary artery disease - angina. Instead, these patients more likely tend to have non-specific symptoms, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), sweating, drowsiness and/or tenderness in places where angina usually radiates (in your case, the left arm). I will not go on and say that this is definitely coronary artery disease, but there is a chance it is. So, I would recommend you to go to the clinic, with or without these symptoms, have an EKG, echocardiogram and a cardiac stress test, eventually a coronary angiogram. If you are diagnosed with coronary artery disease, proper treatment should be undertaken immediately.
I hope I was helpful. Best regards.
I find this answer helpful
You found this answer helpful
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer.
For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service
[Sample answer]
We use cookies in order to offer you most relevant experience and using this website you acknowledge that you have already read and understood our
Privacy Policy
What Could Cause Achy Left Arm & Shortage Of Breath?
Hello. Thank you for your question and welcome to HCM. I understand your concerns. During diabetes, especially in subjects that have poorly controlled diabetes, it comes at a moment that small vessels of the body and nerves become affected. Therefore, it is not surprising that a diabetic patient lacks the specific symptom of coronary artery disease - angina. Instead, these patients more likely tend to have non-specific symptoms, such as dyspnea (shortness of breath), sweating, drowsiness and/or tenderness in places where angina usually radiates (in your case, the left arm). I will not go on and say that this is definitely coronary artery disease, but there is a chance it is. So, I would recommend you to go to the clinic, with or without these symptoms, have an EKG, echocardiogram and a cardiac stress test, eventually a coronary angiogram. If you are diagnosed with coronary artery disease, proper treatment should be undertaken immediately. I hope I was helpful. Best regards.