During a heart attack, the pain most commonly occurs in the left arm, though it can sometimes be felt in the right arm or both arms. This occurs because the nerves from the heart and the arms share pathways, causing the brain to interpret heart pain as arm pain. The pain usually feels like a dull ache, heaviness, pressure, or squeezing rather than sharp pain. It often radiates from the chest to the left arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw. This arm pain is typically persistent and does not get better with movement or changing position, unlike musculoskeletal pain.
In summary:
- Most commonly, the left arm hurts during a heart attack.
- Pain can also occur in the right arm or both arms rarely.
- The pain is often described as pressure, heaviness, or squeezing.
- It usually accompanies other symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, or dizziness.
- Unlike muscle pain, heart-related arm pain is not relieved by changing arm position or applying pressure.
