Symptom Combination

Arm Pain and Dizziness: Causes, Conditions & When to See a Doctor

Arm pain with dizziness suggests reduced cardiac output or cerebral hypoperfusion occurring simultaneously with myocardial or vascular pathology. This combination may represent an evolving MI, subclavian steal syndrome, or aortic dissection compromising blood flow to both the arm and brain.

→ Arm Pain Overview → Dizziness Overview

Possible Causes of Arm Pain and Dizziness

Conditions that commonly cause both symptoms together

1Acute MI with cardiogenic pre-syncope due to reduced output
2Subclavian steal syndrome (stenosis causing arm claudication + cerebral ischemia)
3Aortic dissection extending to brachiocephalic vessels
4Vertebrobasilar transient ischemic attack with referred arm symptoms
5Orthostatic hypotension with concurrent musculoskeletal arm pain

Emergency Red Flags

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience any of these

Unequal blood pressure between arms (> 10 mmHg difference)

Arm pain that worsens with arm exercise

Dizziness triggered by arm movement or use

Neurological symptoms (slurred speech, unilateral weakness)

Sudden severe onset in middle-aged patients with vascular risk factors

When to See a Doctor

Schedule a medical consultation if you notice these signs

Urgent vascular and cardiac evaluation if both symptoms occur together

Measure blood pressure in both arms in the emergency setting

CT angiography may be needed to exclude aortic dissection

Do not delay — subclavian steal can precede stroke

Conditions That Cause Both Arm Pain and Dizziness

2 conditions are associated with this symptom combination

Aortic Dissection

Malperfusion of subclavian and carotid arteries simultaneously

Myocardial Infarction

Low cardiac output causing dizziness with arm pain radiation

Explore Individual Symptoms

In-depth pages for each symptom in this combination

Arm Pain — Full Overview Causes Treatment When to See a Doctor Related Questions

Dizziness — Full Overview Causes Treatment When to See a Doctor Related Questions

Clinical Matches — Authority Pages

Condition-level differential and comparison resources for this combination

⚠ Dangerous — Rule Out First:

Aortic Dissection

Differential analyses:

🔬Aortic Dissection: differential →

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