Numbness and tingling can affect the arm for various reasons, ranging from sitting or sleeping in the wrong position to heart disease. Treatment for persistent numbness and tingling will depend on the cause.

Sometimes, arm numbness is nothing to worry about and will go away with time. For example, tingling due to sleeping on the arm may resolve once a person wakes up and regular circulation resumes.

However, unexplained arm numbness may indicate an underlying health condition, such as nerve damage, a herniated disc, or cardiovascular disease. Severe causes of arm numbness include heart attacks and stroke.

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Blocked or compressed blood vessels can interfere with blood circulation to and from the heart. This can cause numbness and tingling in the arms, hands, legs, and feet.

Reduced blood flow can cause other symptoms, such as:

Circulation issues can happen if someone does not move enough during the day. They can also indicate other conditions, including:

  • Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis occurs when cholesterol deposits, called plaque, accumulate in the blood vessels. Plaque buildups can cause the arteries to harden and narrow, restricting blood flow.
  • Blood clots: Blood clots form when coagulated blood clumps together inside a blood vessel. They can create partial or complete blockages.
  • Peripheral artery disease (PAD): PAD is a type of atherosclerosis in which the peripheral arteries, which carry blood from the heart, narrow and plaque accumulates in them.
  • Diabetes: Diabetes can affect the circulatory system, as high levels of blood sugar lead to plaque formation and blood vessel damage.

Treatment

Treatment for circulation issues depends on the underlying cause. Compression wraps can help reduce swelling in the limbs, and exercise can also improve circulation.

People with large blood clots or several blocked arteries may require surgery. Some people with underlying health issues may also require medication.

Peripheral neuropathy includes multiple conditions that damage the peripheral nervous system (PNS). The PNS carries information between the central nervous system — the brain and spinal cord — and the rest of the body.

Peripheral neuropathy causes a range of symptoms, depending on which nerves it affects. In general, people who have peripheral neuropathy may experience:

Treatment

Several conditions can contribute to peripheral neuropathy, including:

The treatment for peripheral neuropathy may depend on the underlying cause.

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to a group of conditions that compress the nerves and blood vessels that pass between the collarbone and the first rib.

People who have TOS may experience numbness or tingling in a hand, as well as weakness in the neck or arm.

Treatment

Physical therapy exercises that strengthen the chest and back muscles can help improve a person’s posture and reduce pressure on the nerves and blood vessels that pass through the thoracic outlet.

They may also recommend surgery if a person’s symptoms do not improve with physical therapy or other remedies.

Cervical spinal stenosis occurs when the hollow space of the spinal canal narrows, compressing the spinal cord. This compression can cause numbness, pain, or weakness in the arms or feet.

People can develop this condition if they have cervical spondylosis, which is arthritis that affects the part of the spine in the neck. Neck or back injuries and tumors in the spine can also contribute to cervical spinal stenosis.

Treatment

Doctors may recommend the following treatments for someone with cervical spinal stenosis:

A herniated disk occurs when the soft nucleus of the disk slips through a crack in its outer portion.

A herniated disk can press against surrounding nerves, which may cause numbness or pain in the arm.

Treatment

Treatment options for herniated disks may include pain medication, physical therapy, and surgery.

Doctors do not typically recommend bed rest.

People with hemiplegic migraine experience a migraine headache along with temporary weakness or paralysis on one side of the body. This symptom can appear before or alongside an intense, throbbing headache.

People may feel numbness or tingling in the leg, arm, or side of the face.

The symptoms of hemiplegic migraine vary from mild to severe. A severe hemiplegic migraine episode can cause additional symptoms, such as:

Treatment

Treatment for hemiplegic migraine involves the same medications doctors use for a typical migraine. Among others, these include:

However, triptans, which doctors use for typical migraine, are controversial for hemaplegic migraine treatment.

Doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and antiemetic medications to treat acute hemaplegic migraine episodes.

According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD), doctors have not established standard treatment protocols for hemiplegic migraine due to its rarity.

A heart attack occurs when the heart does not receive enough oxygen-rich blood. A blood clot or plaque buildup can create a partial or complete blockage in one or more of the blood vessels that supply the heart, causing a heart attack.

A heart attack can also happen when the coronary artery spasms, which tightens the vessel and restricts blood flow to the heart. The heart muscle may become damaged or stop functioning altogether if it does not receive enough oxygen.

Symptoms of a heart attack include:

Treatment

A heart attack is a serious medical emergency. People should call 911 immediately if they or someone else is having heart attack symptoms.

Doctors will attempt to open the blocked artery and restore blood flow to the heart. The exact type of treatment will depend on the location of the blockage, the person’s overall health status, and the amount of time that has elapsed since the heart attack began.

A stroke occurs when something restricts or completely blocks blood flow to part of the brain. There are two main types of stroke:

  • Ischemic strokes: An ischemic stroke occurs when blood clots or fatty deposits develop inside a blood vessel and restrict blood flow to the brain.
  • Hemorrhagic strokes: A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds into the surrounding tissue.

Strokes often cause numbness in one arm, leg, or side of the face. Other symptoms of a stroke include:

  • a sudden, severe headache
  • vision changes
  • confusion
  • difficulty speaking
  • dizziness
  • loss of coordination

Treatment

A stroke is a serious condition that requires emergency medical treatment. People should call 911 for rapid emergency services.

A doctor can treat an ischemic stroke with thrombolytic medications that dissolve blood clots.

If a person has a hemorrhagic stroke, a doctor may need to stop the bleeding or reduce pressure in the brain with surgical intervention, depending on the cause, location, and size of the bleed in the brain.

Dehydration can cause various symptoms based on how severe the case is.

Though it is not likely to lead to arm numbness directly, moderate to advanced cases of dehydration can cause drops in blood pressure, muscle spasms, and dizziness. A drop in blood pressure may cause numbness in the arms.

Treatment

Treatments for dehydration may depend on its severity, but the main goal is to replace lost fluids and rehydrate a person. Doctors will also address any underlying causes of dehydration, if possible.

Arm numbness is a potential symptom of many minor issues, such as temporarily cutting off the circulation, but it can also indicate a heart attack or stroke.

People with a high risk or history of cardiovascular disease should seek immediate medical attention if they experience unexplained numbness or tingling in their arm.

Persistent numbness in the arm without an apparent cause suggests an underlying medical problem that may require physical therapy, surgery, or emergency medical care.

Is it a heart attack?

Heart attacks occur when there is a lack of blood supply to the heart. Symptoms include:

  • chest pain, pressure, or tightness
  • pain that may spread to the arms, neck, jaw, or back
  • nausea and vomiting
  • sweaty or clammy skin
  • heartburn or indigestion
  • shortness of breath
  • coughing or wheezing
  • lightheadedness or dizziness
  • anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack

If you think someone is having a heart attack:

  1. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
  2. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

If a person stops breathing before emergency services arrive, perform manual chest compressions:

  1. Lock fingers together and place the base of hands in the center of the chest.
  2. Position shoulders over hands and lock elbows.
  3. Press hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 2 inches.
  4. Continue these movements until the person starts to breathe or move.
  5. If needed, swap over with someone else without pausing compressions.

Use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) available in many public places:

  1. An AED provides a shock that may restart the heart.
  2. Follow the instructions on the defibrillator or listen to the guided instructions.

Possible causes of arm numbness include a herniated disk, circulation issues, nerve damage, and dehydration. However, a heart attack or stroke can also involve arm numbness.

Often, arm numbness is due to a minor cause, but it can also indicate a more serious condition, such as a stroke. Anyone with sudden or unexplained arm numbness may consider seeking medical advice.

Various conditions with different severity levels can cause numbness in one arm, such as circulation issues, herniated disc, heart attack, or stroke.

People should consider their other symptoms and speak with a doctor for a proper diagnosis.

Treatments for arm numbness will depend on the cause. A doctor can recommend a treatment plan if arm numbness stems from cervical spinal stenosis, migraine, or other conditions.

Ways to soothe arm numbness include physical therapy, exercise, and wearing a pressure wrap.

Many people experience occasional numbness in an arm. Arm numbness can occur for several reasons that range from mild causes, such as sleeping in the wrong position, to a severe medical condition, such as a heart attack.

Sudden numbness in one or both arms may be a sign of a heart attack, stroke, or nerve damage, especially if a person has other symptoms.

Anyone who has frequent or persistent arm numbness without an obvious cause should contact their doctor, especially if they have a history or increased risk of cardiovascular disease or diabetes.