Arm Pain, When to Worry?

Wow. That's very strange, I have to be honest. And speaking of being honest, as a paramedic, I would recommend you go to the ER ANYTIME your blood pressure rises that dramatically and is associated with arm pain. Heck, even just the B/P rising so much is warrant enough to go. I'm glad you're seeing your doctor about this tomorrow, because you need to get to the bottom of this, it is not good to have this happening to you. I hope your doctor has some answers for you, because my first and most immediate thought if I had a patient present with those symptoms in my ambulance would be "oh my God, he's having the big one". In other words, massive heart attack. So yeah that would concern me, and I'd definitely go to the ER when this happens, but since you're seeing your doc tomorrow, you should have it figured out and not have to worry about not currently being treated for whatever the cause of this problem is. But yeah, anytime your systolic pressure rises 60 points in a matter of minutes, it's time to call 911 or get to an ER ASAP. Good luck.

Are you prescribed nitro for angina? Do you have any cardiac diseases you're aware of? I understand (basically) that this is a recurring problem and I gather you've had this checked out before since you claim you know it's not cardiac related, so I can understand your reluctance to go to the ER. For example, I have bouts of excruciating abdominal pain, but I know what it is caused by, and it's not a hazard to my health, so I don't run to the ER every time it happens. But if you don't know what's causing this, I personally believe you're playing dice with your life by waiting until morning to seek medical treatment for this. I still recommend calling 911 or getting to the ER yourself somehow.

If you're going to your doctor tomorrow in regard of the pain you're experiencing in your arms, then perhaps you should let your doctor tell you when it is best to head to the E.R.

Take two aspirin and write back tomorrow night.