Are you experiencing pins and needles in your chest? While occasional tingling or pins and needles sensations are usually nothing to worry about, if you experience these feelings in your chest area, it’s wise to get it checked out by a medical professional.
Chest discomfort coupled with numbness, prickling, or a pins and needles feeling could potentially be a symptom of something more serious related to your heart or cardiovascular system. Though not always an emergency situation, having these symptoms evaluated can help rule out or identify any underlying cardiac conditions that may require treatment.
What heart conditions can be associated with pins and needles in the chest?
Several heart conditions can potentially cause pins and needles or tingling sensations in the chest area:
- Angina (Reduced blood flow to the heart): Angina is chest pain or discomfort that occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood and oxygen. Along with chest pain or pressure, some patients may experience numbness or tingling in the chest.
- Heart Attack: During a heart attack, the lack of blood flow to part of the heart muscle can cause numbness, tingling or a “pins and needles” feeling in the chest, arms or other areas. This is often accompanied by chest pain or tightness.
- Aortic Dissection: This is a serious condition where the inner layer of the aorta (main artery) tears. Although usually, this results in severe tearing or ripping chest pain often radiating towards the back of the chest, it may cause a sensation of tingling, numbness or weakness.
- Pericarditis: Inflammation of the pericardium (sac around the heart) can cause chest pain and in some cases, tingling or numbness due to irritation of nearby nerves.
- Cardiomyopathy: Diseases of the heart muscle like hypertrophic or dilated cardiomyopathy can impair blood flow and potentially cause tingling sensations.
- Cardiovascular Disease: Atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease or other vascular conditions that restrict blood flow may lead to intermittent tingling or numbness in the chest area.
What else can cause pins and needles in the chest?
There are several potential causes for experiencing pins and needles or tingling sensations in the chest area that aren’t related to heart conditions. These include:
- Poor circulation: Restricted blood flow can cause numbness and tingling. This could be due to atherosclerosis (buildup of plaque in arteries) or other cardiovascular issues.
- Nerve compression/injury: The nerves that supply the chest area could be compressed or irritated, leading to pins and needles sensations. This can happen with spinal problems, injuries, or nerve inflammation.
- Heart-related issues: Chest discomfort combined with tingling can sometimes be a sign of angina (reduced blood flow to the heart), a heart attack, or other cardiac problems.
- Lung disorders: Certain lung diseases like COPD or lung cancer can put pressure on nerves and blood vessels, leading to tingling in the chest.
- Muscle issues: Strains, inflammation, or muscle spasms in the chest wall muscles can irritate nerves and cause odd sensations.
- Anxiety/Panic attacks: Hyperventilation and restricted breathing from anxiety can cause temporary tingling or numbness.
When should I get my pins and needles in the chest checked by a professional cardiologist?
You should get pins and needles sensations in your chest checked by a heart specialist if:
- The tingling/numbness is accompanied by chest pain, pressure, or discomfort; which could indicate angina or a heart attack.
- The symptoms occur during physical exertion or emotional stress and subside with rest, as this is a classic sign of reduced blood flow to the heart.
- You have existing heart disease or risk factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, smoking, etc.
- The pins and needles radiate to your arm(s), shoulder, back or jaw; which can signal a heart-related issue.
- You experience other symptoms like shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, dizziness or irregular heartbeat along with the chest sensations.
- The tingling persists or worsens over time, especially if it’s a new symptom for you.
- Initial tests by your primary care doctor are inconclusive or indicate a potential cardiac cause.
How can a cardiologist help me with my pins and needles?
A cardiologist can help diagnose and treat the underlying cause of your pins and needles sensation in the chest through various ways:
- Detailed Medical History and Physical Exam: The cardiologist will take a comprehensive medical history, asking about your symptoms, their pattern, duration, and any associated factors. They will also perform a physical exam, checking your heart rate, blood pressure, and listening for any abnormal heart sounds.
- Diagnostic Tests: Depending on your symptoms and initial evaluation, the cardiologist may order one or more of the following tests:
- Electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG): This measures the electrical activity of your heart and can detect irregularities or signs of poor blood flow.
- Stress Test: This monitors your heart’s performance during physical activity and can reveal if the pins and needles worsen with exertion, indicating a potential blockage or reduced blood flow.
- Echocardiogram: This ultrasound imaging test assesses the structure and function of your heart muscles and valves.
- Cardiac CT Scan or Angiogram: These imaging tests can visualise the blood vessels supplying your heart and detect any blockages or narrowing.
- Treatment Plan: Once the underlying cause is identified, the cardiologist can develop an appropriate treatment plan, which may involve:
- Medications: For conditions like angina, high blood pressure, or arrhythmias that could be causing the pins and needles sensation.
- Lifestyle Changes: Recommendations for diet, exercise, and smoking cessation to improve heart health.
- Procedures: If necessary, the cardiologist may recommend interventions like angioplasty, stenting, or bypass surgery to improve blood flow to the heart.
- Ongoing Monitoring and Management: The cardiologist will closely monitor your condition, adjust treatments as needed, and provide guidance on managing any underlying heart condition to prevent complications and alleviate symptoms like pins and needles in the chest.
Where can I go if I need pins and needles checked?
You can get pins and needles checked at HeartWest, the largest cardiology group in the western and northwestern corridors of Melbourne, with 4 major locations and 3 satellite sites.
At HeartWest, our qualified experts will provide you with the best cardiology care. You will experience nothing but professionalism, care and courtesy; from your first interaction with our staff, to going through tests, procedures and consultations.
Our cardiologists have expertise in all fields of adult cardiology, including;
Contact us for efficient and affordable specialist heart care services.
