While pain in the left arm is a known heart attack symptom, sometimes the pain can be felt specifically in the elbow or even the right arm. (though left arm is more common) This discomfort may feel like aching, numbness, or a tingling sensation. Unlike muscle pain from injury, this pain often comes on suddenly, without any clear cause, and may spread up or down the arm.
This arm or elbow pain happens because the heart’s nerves share pathways with nerves in these areas. When the heart muscle is starved of oxygen, the brain can misinterpret the pain signals, causing pain in the elbow or arm instead of the chest.
