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What Causes Pin Prick In Heart Area When Suffering From Atrial Fibrillation?
Question: I have atrial fibrillation and lately have been feeling like a pin prick in my heart area. My blood pressure is good today and I am taking my warfarin and blood pressure medicine as required.
Brief Answer:
Could be nerve irritation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. From the information you have given, the pin-prick sensation is not likely to be related to your heart. This is not the type of pain that heart complaints will cause.
I have a few suggestions as to what might be causing the pain. It may be muscular, although this is not the usual nature of pain related to a muscle strain. It may be costochondritis. This is inflammation of the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). If this is the case, there would be tenderness on pressing the area. Paracetamol and ibuprofen would help both of these causes.
Alternatively, it could be neuralgia which is nerve irritation. This can occur with any nerve anywhere in the body and can cause quite severe pain which can sometimes be difficult to treat. Simple pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen may not be effective but are worth a try. Sometimes this type of pain can respond to amitriptyline or gabapentin. Amitriptyline can causes sleepiness and is best taken at night.
I suggest you see your doctor to discuss a diagnosis and pain management if you feel the pain is affecting your daily activities.
I hope this is of help. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
Could be nerve irritation.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for using Healthcare Magic. From the information you have given, the pin-prick sensation is not likely to be related to your heart. This is not the type of pain that heart complaints will cause.
I have a few suggestions as to what might be causing the pain. It may be muscular, although this is not the usual nature of pain related to a muscle strain. It may be costochondritis. This is inflammation of the cartilage that joins your ribs to your breastbone (sternum). If this is the case, there would be tenderness on pressing the area. Paracetamol and ibuprofen would help both of these causes.
Alternatively, it could be neuralgia which is nerve irritation. This can occur with any nerve anywhere in the body and can cause quite severe pain which can sometimes be difficult to treat. Simple pain killers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen may not be effective but are worth a try. Sometimes this type of pain can respond to amitriptyline or gabapentin. Amitriptyline can causes sleepiness and is best taken at night.
I suggest you see your doctor to discuss a diagnosis and pain management if you feel the pain is affecting your daily activities.
I hope this is of help. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Dr K A Pottinger,
MBChB FRCA
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Dr. Kerry Pottinger
Pain Medicine & Palliative Care Specialist
Practicing since :1983
Answered : 1337 Questions
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