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What Causes Sharp Pains In Elbow Of Left Arm?
Question: My husband began having sharp pains in the elbow of his left arm overnight. The pain comes every minute or so. He is 98 years old and is on Plavix. I XXXXXX annot take him to the Doctor until tomorrow. Does this sound very serious to you?
My husband is currently under a Doctor's care. He has kidneyy problems, COPD, and has fluid build up and use Lasix to control. He has a doctor's appointment in Mar. and will always see my husband when needed. However today I have no way of getting him there.
My husband is currently under a Doctor's care. He has kidneyy problems, COPD, and has fluid build up and use Lasix to control. He has a doctor's appointment in Mar. and will always see my husband when needed. However today I have no way of getting him there.
Brief Answer:
It is necessary to rule heart attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
The most important thing right now is to rule out heart attack. Unfortunately left arm pain can be caused by heart attack.
However with heart pain he should also have chest pain (squeezing or burning like - never sharp pain), shortness of breath, sweating. Please check his blood pressure and heart rate. If the blood pressure is as usually, and heart rate is not higher than 100, this is rather not a heart problem.
If its only arm and elbow pain, with no sign of heart pain symptoms, he may wait until tomorrow. Sharp elbow pain and arm pain can also give headache, back pain, arm or hand tingling. Such pain is usually caused by spine problem in the cervical area.
In conclusion, if heart pain seems possible, do not wait and take him to the ER.
If the pain seems to be caused by spine problem, he may wait till tomorrow and orthopedist should see him.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
It is necessary to rule heart attack.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
The most important thing right now is to rule out heart attack. Unfortunately left arm pain can be caused by heart attack.
However with heart pain he should also have chest pain (squeezing or burning like - never sharp pain), shortness of breath, sweating. Please check his blood pressure and heart rate. If the blood pressure is as usually, and heart rate is not higher than 100, this is rather not a heart problem.
If its only arm and elbow pain, with no sign of heart pain symptoms, he may wait until tomorrow. Sharp elbow pain and arm pain can also give headache, back pain, arm or hand tingling. Such pain is usually caused by spine problem in the cervical area.
In conclusion, if heart pain seems possible, do not wait and take him to the ER.
If the pain seems to be caused by spine problem, he may wait till tomorrow and orthopedist should see him.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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