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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Intermittent Heart Racing With Left Arm Pain Radiating To Jaw?

HI,

All day I've been having kind of a dizzy feeling in my chest. I feel that my heart is racing fast, and then it seems to slow down a lot, and then back to beating fast again. I also have a slight pain in my left arm that is going up to my jaw. I'm 46 year old female, and no past history of any heart problems. I've also been feeling a lot of fatigue for the past week.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Mon, 14 Jul 2014 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 15 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on
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Internal Medicine Specialist,  's  Response
Thank you for the query.
As per history, you are a 46yrs old lady, with occasional dizziness, palpitations and pain in the left arm radiating to the jaw. I would like to enquire whether you suffer from any associated conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction or dyslipidemia.
The palpitations (a sensation of racing heart) may be due to underlying sudden cardiac arrythmia like atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. These may settle on their own. The pain in your left arm or jaw may well be a cardiac pain (stable angina), referred commonly to these areas. I would like to enquire whether you have any shortness of breath associated with this pain and whether the pain arises on exertion.
Certain blood investigations are suggested (if you have not done them) like thyroid profile and lipid profile. Hyperthyroidism can often lead to arrythmia. It is advisable that you undergo a 12 lead ECG which will help in detecting any underlying arrythmia or ischemic heart diaease. In case an arrythmia is not detected on ECG, a holter monitor may be needed. In case you consume alcohol it is suggsted that you avoid it. A hemoglobin test is needed because, low levels can cause fatigue, dizziness and palpitations.
Please do consult your cardiologist for a physical examination, investigations and prescription of medications.
Hope this helps you out.
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What Causes Intermittent Heart Racing With Left Arm Pain Radiating To Jaw?

Thank you for the query. As per history, you are a 46yrs old lady, with occasional dizziness, palpitations and pain in the left arm radiating to the jaw. I would like to enquire whether you suffer from any associated conditions like diabetes mellitus, hypertension, thyroid dysfunction or dyslipidemia. The palpitations (a sensation of racing heart) may be due to underlying sudden cardiac arrythmia like atrial fibrillation or paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia. These may settle on their own. The pain in your left arm or jaw may well be a cardiac pain (stable angina), referred commonly to these areas. I would like to enquire whether you have any shortness of breath associated with this pain and whether the pain arises on exertion. Certain blood investigations are suggested (if you have not done them) like thyroid profile and lipid profile. Hyperthyroidism can often lead to arrythmia. It is advisable that you undergo a 12 lead ECG which will help in detecting any underlying arrythmia or ischemic heart diaease. In case an arrythmia is not detected on ECG, a holter monitor may be needed. In case you consume alcohol it is suggsted that you avoid it. A hemoglobin test is needed because, low levels can cause fatigue, dizziness and palpitations. Please do consult your cardiologist for a physical examination, investigations and prescription of medications. Hope this helps you out.