Is Numbness in the Legs and Hands a Sign of a Heart Problem?

Multiple health conditions can make your legs and hands feel numb. However, is numbness in the legs and hands a sign of a heart problem? Let us explore this matter.

In the U.S, around one in four deaths occur due to heart disease, and this marks around 659,000 every year.⁽¹⁾ It is important to pay attention to every single sign that might be associated with a heart problem. Numbness in the legs and arms can be an important indicator of heart disease or any problem in the heart. Numbness in your hands and legs can indicate some of the heart problems that are mentioned below.

A heart attack might cause numbness and tingle in one hand. Severe blockages in the primary blood supply of the heart can result in chest pain and also numbness down any single arm. Nausea, shortness of breath, sweating, dizziness, pain in the shoulders, and unexplained fatigue, are some other symptoms of a heart attack. If you are suspecting a heart attack, you should immediately seek emergency medical attention.

Stroke is believed to be a heart disease since this condition revolves around blood flow.⁽²⁾ However, this occurs because of problems with blood flow to the brain and not the heart. In the case of a stroke, there is an interruption in the flow of blood to the brain.

In the case of a stroke, there might be a sudden numbness or weakness of the leg, arm, or face, particularly on one side of the body.⁽³⁾ Some other symptoms of a stroke include confusion, problems with vision, speech problems, and difficulty maintaining balance.

Coronary artery disease is considered to be one of the most common heart problems that affect the major blood vessels that supply the heart muscle. Plaques or cholesterol deposits in the arteries of the heart are generally the major cause of coronary artery disease. This can also lead to heart attack, angina, and stroke.

Patients with coronary artery disease feel numbness, pain, coldness, or weakness in their legs and arms, especially if the blood vessels in those parts of the body are narrowed. Some other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest pain, tightness in the chest, discomfort in the chest, and pain in the neck, jaw, throat, or belly regions.

You should pay special attention to these symptoms and make sure to have a doctor’s visit if you feel any sort of discomfort.

It is essential to consult with your doctor if you have numbness in your legs and hands or suspect having any sort of heart problem that needs immediate treatment. This can prevent you from any severe complications that might occur due to heart diseases.

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