My Mom(40y/o) Wants To Know Why She Feels A Sharp Pain From Her "Artery" In Her Neck To Her Heart?

Question

Its Been Going on For Three Days Now. It Usually Happens Quickly When She Takes A Deep Breathe, Stretches Her Hand, Or Bends Over. What Do You Think Is Causing This And What Do You Think She Should Do? She Is Overweight (240lbs. 5'3) But Has Never Had An Health Problems Before. I Think She Is Just Stressed, But That's Just My Opinion

Answer 1

Your mom could have a narrowing of that artery that is causing a lack of oxygen which would cause the pain your describing.  Side effects would be a blood clot forming.  Which could cause a stroke or heart attack.  She needs to go to the ER if it gets any worse, and make a doctors appt ASAP.  They do a test called a Carotid Doppler.  This will show any narrowing or blockages.  Best case its just a muscle strain, but better safe than sorry.

Answer 2

As answered above she does need to a doctor. I am not a doctor but I am a nurse. It does not sound good they way you described. Blood clots are very serious and dangerous. It could turn out to nothing but it sounds like a blood clot. Its better to be safe then sorry.

Answer 3

Hello ~

Your mom needs to get to a doctor, the quicker the better!  I am not a doctor and I do not want to scare you but she needs to understand how serious this could be!  

The artery that you are describing is called the Carotid Artery and it supplies blood to the large front part of the brain.  This area affects; speech, thinking, sensory and motor functions.  My father has had heart related issues for the past 9 years and had to have his Carotid Artery cleaned a few years back.  What happens is plaque builds in the artery making it narrower thus restricting the amount of blood flow.  The danger is that a piece of this plaque can break loose and travel to the brain causing a Stroke.

It sounds like she may have at least one of the risk factors for this by being overweight.  You do not mention if she has high blood pressure, smokes or has a family history of heart disease.

The doctor will discuss her symptoms with her and if necessary order testing to make a diagnosis.  Stress may not be as urgent but she should get to a doctor to get a diagnosis, this is not something to be taken lightly!

Della

Answer 4

yea tell her to see a doc asap