What Causes Throbbing Sensation In The Upper Left Arm?

Posted on Fri, 10 Nov 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 10 Nov 2017 Answered on

Fri, 19 Jan 2018 Last reviewed on

Question : For about a week, I've occasionally had a throbbing/pulsing in my upper left arm (a few times a day) - usually in the bicep or inner elbow area that matches the pulse of my heartbeat. It isn't painful, per say, just has kind of a weird full feeling. I have no other real symptoms; no chest pain or pressure, no shortness of breath, no sickness, etc.

I had radiation and cisplatin treat on 2013 for right tonsil cancer (HPV+), if it helps to know this.

Answered by Dr. Bhanu Partap (30 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Doesn't look like a cardiac issue

Detailed Answer:
Hello Sir

After going through the medical details provided by you I understand your concern for your health and I would like to tell you that as per the symptoms mentioned by you it doesn't seems to be a cardiac issue.

However considering your age group and a previous history of drug therapy with Cisplatin as well as radiation therapy it's advisable that you should get atleast an ECG and ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY done to rule out any underlying cardiac issues.

And if both of these comes out to be alright there won't be any reason to worry.

I hope this information will be helpful.

Kind regards
Dr Bhanu partap

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D