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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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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.
Mon, 29 Jun 2015
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Cardiologist 's  Response
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.
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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.