Pressure in chest and bilateral arm heaviness

[skygirl5]

Can someone please help me figure out what is going on with my body?  My symptoms are:
First of all, I suddenly feel a bilateral sensation in my arms of extreme heaviness (not numbness, not tingling) that starts at about mid forearm level and goes up my arms
At the same time, my chest feels like it is in a barrel and I am being squeezed completely around
These 2 symtoms last about 30-seconds to 1 minute and occur "out-of-the-blue", such as when shopping  or sitting on the couch.  It has happened at work and at home.
The last time this occured, for the first time,  I had a dull aching pain in the center of my back, between my shoulder blades, for about 5-8 minutes.  These "spells" concern me and this last one really scared me, thinking it might be a heart attack.  I chewed aspirin and tried to relax and eventually the aching pain went away.
I am a 58 year old woman with no history of heart disease except for familial history of my dad dying at 59 of heart disease.  I am only 5 pounds overweight and do not have high blood pressure or diabetes or any major illness.
Twice I have gone to the ER, thinking I'm having a heart attack.  The results are negative. I have been seen by 2 cardiologists and have had negative EKGs and stress Echos.  I do have a high CRP level  (about 5).  The cardiologists say I should check with my mental health professional since I have a history (controlled on meds) of depression.  Mentally, I feel good.
My psychiatrist says these are spontaneous panic attacks.  Then he says that I should make sure everything is okay with my heart.
One more part of my history that may be important - I have had herniated discs (C5-6-7) that have not bothered me for years.  I was in a carwreck and had MRIs.  I did physical therapy and was able to avoid surgery and relieve the pain. That was about 10 years ago.  I rarely have any neck pain now.
Does anyone have a similar experience or any ideas?  Thank you!

[Deb52557]

Okay, seems obvious that something is causal for all of us to have the same or similar symptoms.  What you have written is exactly what I have been feeling for the last couple of years.  I am a 52 year old female with no recorded back or spine problems.  I would certainly like to have someone identify what causes this.
When I told my husband about it, his worry was while I am driving a car.  First time I thought about that, but I certainly would not like for an episode to happen then.
Keep the posts coming, please.

Deb

[Shellbean6323]

Are we all women having these episodes?  I think we are.  Perhaps a clue????
I have been experiencing these "episodes" for many years, although now they are more frequent and much more disturbing to me. They start with a heaviness in my arms and then my hands become shaky and unusable.  This is all followed by a tightness in my chest and then I experience a "wiped-out" feeling.
The doctor could fiind nothing wrong. I, too, have no back, spine or other problems. I take no medications and I am a healthy, active 52 year-old woman.
If anybody gets an answer please do us all a favor and post it.

[deb000313]

Me too! It has happened a few times, most recently this morning- a sudden onset heaviness of arms like each is a hundred pound weight, feeling starts mid arms, bilaterally and spreads to chest. It is disabling when it happens- I grabbed onto the kitchen chair for support this morning. Just as soon as I ponder "what the heck is going on- should I call for help," the feeling goes away. I am perimenopausal at 47. I am very healthy, although overweight. The only spinal problem I have is no cervical curve. I have frequent muscle spasms in my neck (like waking up after sleeping funny, where you can't move your head a certain way...)  I was very worried when it happened, but I gaurantee it was no panic or anxiety. I am one of the most low key, relaxed, stress free people I know. I thrive in a climate of change. I am an RN who loves the everday challenges of management and family. The panic didnt start until I felt the heaviness. The only other time this happened to me was after taking migraine medication (triptans, like imitrex, rellpax, maxalt) and these drugs are contraindicated where heart disease is suspected. Since these drugs brought this on in the past, I assume the problem to be an early cardiac warning... like a very mild angina. Or possibly a TIA,

[Shellbean6323]

My hands are becoming unusable during these "episodes."  Anybody else?

[lsy60]

How is everyone's blood pressure?  I have had these same sort of episodes and my doctor thinks it is related to my blood pressure/blood sugar.  My episodes do tend to happen after I have been sitting or laying down and first stand up.

[ruro]

I have been experiencing the same symptoms recently. The first one was three days ago. It scared me enough to call the nurse who wanted to call an ambulance for me. Since I have family history of heart disease, I agreed. I went to the ER and was there for quite a while. They did blood test, and EKG, and a chest X-ray and found nothing wrong. The said my EKG was prefect. I was slightly anemic, but not enough to worry them. (I was having my period during this). My blood pressure was also fine throughout this. I am 46 years old, and in very good shape, not overweight.

I am writing because I had another episode today. It is scary. Today the heaviness started in my chest, and went out to my arms. I do not know what is causing it but I wonder also if it is connected to sudden changes in blood pressure or even indigestion? After today's episode, I burped a lot, and both times I had been sitting shortly before getting up and moving.

Anyway, I have scheduled a follow-up with my primary doctor for next week. I was diagnosed with some osteo-arthritis in my neck a few years ago, at that time causing some pain in my left arm. I started doing yoga and that went away, but I do wonder if it is related to my spine or neck also.

It is a relief to learn that others have this. Thanks all for writing. If I learn anything else I will write again.