What does tingling and numbness in left arm mean?

If you can't account for the feeling (such as slept on the arm or were in a recent injury) you may well be having a heart attack. Please call 911 or see an ER immediately. Please don't try to guess with something as serious as this could be. Also look out for a feeling of heaviness on your chest, shortness of breath, feeling nauseous, sweating or a general ill feeling. These are all signs of impending heart attack and should be taken very seriously. Keep in mind that many heart attacks involve NO PAIN at all - particularly in women.

This could mean a number of things, the next time it happens you need to contact emergency services. It could simply be bursitis in the shoulder or it could be as serious as a heart attack. I would call my physician and see then as soon as possible.

It's a symptom of a Heart Attack

Call 911

I graduated an EMT-B class last year, and I learned that any kind of numbness or tingling in any extremities would indicate a possible stroke or T.I.A., ( Transient Ischemic Attack or a "mini-stroke"). A heart attack would cause PAIN extending from your chest into either arm and also possibly into your back. Although different people may have symptoms contrary to the typical ones you hear or read about. In any case, the above retort is the best action, better safe than sorry.

First answer by ID0000000000. Last edit by CharlesRS. Contributor trust: 11 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 91 [recommend question]