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20 years
I woke up & my left side was numb. My right arm was numb, I had fast heartbeats, shortness of breath & a headache. Was it a mild heart attack?
Jul 30, 2015
2nd opinion

Dr. Zakia Dimassi Pediatrics
These symptoms may partially resemble a classical heart attack, but I highly doubt this is the case. A plausible explanation of the numbness on both side is nerve compression due an improper sleeping position, especially if your neck was tilted, because the nerves that supply the arms originate from the cervical (neck) spine, so any malpositioning of the neck leads to compression of those nerves, with subsequent numbness and tingling in the arms.
As for the elevated heart rate, chest pain and shortness of breath: if this was the very 1st time you experience such signs and symptoms, and they were short-lived and self-limited, then I would not worry much about them. If, however, these signs and symptoms have occurred previously or are happening frequently, then you need to consult a physician in order to investigate them. Possible causes include anemia, hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), and anxiety; coronary artery disease (which leads to heart attacks) is highly unlikely seeing your young age and assuming that you are otherwise healthy.
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