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Could Tingling In Arm Be A Sign Of Heart Attack?

I smoked about 4 or 5 hits of meth within an hour 2 days ago, and ever since my left arm is tingly and colder and feels different. I m afraid I m vulnerable for having a heart attack, what should I do? Would beta blockers help? Should I smoke cannabis (as I do daily) or could that worsen the symptom? Alcohol helps, but only when it is in my system. I am not a frequent meth user, only a couple times a year, but this is the first time I noticed this symptom with my arm and am worried it could affect my heart.

posted on Mon, 8 Sep 2014

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

Fri, 20 Feb 2015 Answered on

Mon, 1 Jun 2015 Last reviewed on

Post as: Anonymous Non Anonymous

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Cardiologist, Dr. Ilir Sharka's Response

Hello! Thank you for your question! Regarding your complains i would explain that stimulants like methamphetamine may cause coronary and cerebral vasoconstriction and lead to cardiac ischemia and myocardial infarction as well as cerebral ischemia or hemorrhage. The complains that you refer are more compatible with a cerebral involvement and I strongly recommend you to consult immediately a neurologist and possibly perform a cerebral MRI as well as to perform a check up to your GP to evaluate your general health status coupled with a resting ECG and some routine blood tests.
Regarding the use of other similar substances like cannabis or even concomitant alcohol I strongly want to discourage their use as they don't help, but may aggravate the situation.
So run to see your doctor!
Hope to have been helpful.
Greetings from Dr. Iliri

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Anesthesiologist, Dr. Dr. C H Ranjith Kumar's Response

hi,
it may be a heart attack or may not be.it can also be vasospasm(like raynauds as 'meth' can precipitate raynauds) whic presents with the symptoms you said.
taking beta blockers without a proper workup and necessary investigations is not suggestible.so visit your doctor and get an ekg and other necessary workup.tratment would be based on findings.
avoid taking meth it can cause very serious side effects which you cant even imagine.take care

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Cardiologist, Dr. Priyank Mody 's Response

Dear friend , Meth smoking can increase your heart rate - palpitation , Blood pressure and henceforth because of increased need for the heart for O2 can cause heart attack apart from many side effects of the compound on the overbody system , so i will recommend you to stay away from it
beta blockers when given intravenous helps to tide over the hypertensive emergency , but it has to be taken under a doctors observation in a hospital , self medication can lower your BP and may be deterimental . A strict NO from my side
though cannabis itself is harmful to heart , but as compared to meth wouldnt be as problamatic .
alcohol only subjectively decrease the symptoms with no help whatsoever

Regards , Dr. Priyank Mody

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Could Tingling In Arm Be A Sign Of Heart Attack?

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