numbness in arms dizzyness and rapid heartbeat?

Question

It alll started on wednesday i was at work and all of a sudden i got extremely dizzy and my heart rate was 160 and my arm was numb it scared me to death.I went to hospital and ekg was fine and heart went back to normal it has happened 3 times now since then and by the time i get to hospital the heart rate is down and i think they are wondering if i am faking or not.It is scaring me to death i dont know if its heart problems or not but i know something is wrong it happened again today and i was sitting at home watching tv i all of a sudden got dizzy then the arm and the heartrate was 150 my wife is a cna and she checked it.anyone have any ideas i took my 2 week vacation starting today because i am really scared.

i appreciate everyones great ideas i just got off the holter monitor today and i also asked doc about anxiety he said it was a definite possibility

Answer 1

It sounds like the same things that would happen to me... I have anxiety... do you find yourself breathing really shallow and fast... I would hyperventilate until my arms would go numb and then my lips and face... Are you under a lot of stress...besides being stressed out by this..? I wish you luck!

Answer 2

o.k. your heart rate should not be 150-160 at rest. The dizziness and the arm numbness suggest that this is not just anxiety attacks. In fact it really doesn't sound like an anxiety attack. ( Also, it may sound odd, but I've read questions posted by people with anxiety attacks, they have a much more anxious affect to their writing. You merely sound concerned.)

That said, what is it. Off hand I would say an arrhythmia- an irregular heart beat. Some can be paroxysmal, that is they come and go and resolve by the time you go to the ER. This doesn't make them any less real, or dangerous (depending on the type).

Call you doctor tonight. Depending on your cardiac risk factors she/he may choose to see you in the clinic in the AM. (if you have a cardiac history or are high risk he may send you to the hospital.) You doctor may also give you a holter monitor or event monitor to check for the rapid heart beats.

But no you are not faking it. I suspect you need an evaluation by your regular doctor.

Answer 3

It sounds to me like you were hyperventilating. I have had a few similar experiences. The hyperventilation causes you to expell too much carbon dioxide which can throw off your oxygen-carbon dioxide balance and induces dizziness. The panic causes your pulse to race and the blood to be shunted towards the core of your body and your arms go numb. Are you under some stress or do you have a lot on your mind? There are some ways to help:
1) Breathe into a paper bag when the symptoms come on as this will cause you to re-breathe some of the expelled carbon dioxide and rebalance you.
2) Practice propper breathing: You are probably breathing out more than in without knowing it. Try to breathe in comfortably for 3 seconds and out for 4 seconds. Place your hand on your belly to make sure that is is rising some with your breath.Practice for a few minutes but discontinue if you become dizzy or dizziness worsens.
3) Lay down or recline while doing the breathing exercise.
4)Practice calm relaxed breathing a few times a day or during stressful situations, and take a look at other relaxation methods such as visualizations or tapes on autogenic relaxation.
5) Spend some of your vacation time relaxing and doing fun enjoyable things, maybe you just need a break from the grind.
This is just my opinion but I have spoken to doctors who have told me it is hyperventilation and done some research of my own and the problem is now solved. It was a phase in my life and hopefully it will dissapear from your life as well. Good luck and see your doctor if your problem does not resolve.
P.S. Dont be scared, the worst case scenario is that you faint, it's the body's way of resetting itself.

Answer 4

Heart Numbness

Answer 5

I disagree with janice. I take anxiety meds but before i did i would have those same symptoms. I would get dizzy and i would have tingling in my arms and sometimes feet and as well as hands. My heart would be beating really really fast and sometimes you have no idea what triggers this. I would also feel like i was to warm and needed air . This is all calmed down for me now i am on a medication for this. I can see ppls points of concern about the heart and if u got checked then i am sure that is fine. Maybe ask your doc what he thinks about anxiety. Trust me i am glad i did.
kim

Answer 6

well, it may a be a transient ischemic attack, it is a heart attack that lasts only a few minutes or hours without leaving any neurologic damage. although it is very benign, subsequent attacks may prove to be fatal. also, it may be caused by a thyroid problem, hyperthyroidism may present such symptoms. the best thing to do now is consult your physician and let him do a general check up. don't put yourself to much stress, have time to rest, have a good sleep and eat healthy foods.

Answer 7

Ask your doctor to put a heart monitor on you that monitors your heart for 24 hours or more. They used to be called Holter Monitors. Write down your symptoms, heart rate while you have it on. The doctor can check it and diagnose your problem. Then you can be put on proper midication.

Answer 8

if the doc says your heart is ok ....my guess would be panic or anxiety attacks...i get them a lot and thought i was having a heart attack but now i am on meds to help me with them..
see your dr again....best of luck to you
i know it is scary !!! ♥

Answer 9

get the doctors to check for arrythmias. they can come and go. also could be anxiety. anxiety and depression are often linked.

Answer 10

why are you asking on Yahoo answers!!!??? Go to a cardiologist immediately.