Rhonda Mitchell,

Thanks for your question. 

It is unlikely that your symptoms are caused by a stroke.  Strokes are usually painless, and are accompanied by symptoms of weakness or paralysis of the face, arm, and/or leg, on one side of the body.  There can be speech difficulty also. All of the symptoms of a stroke depend on the location of the injury within the brain.

Back pain that radiates into an arm can be caused by several different things, including heart disease.  Other causes include: muscle spasm; spinal disease like a pinched nerve or arthritis; digestive disorders such as hiatal hernia; lung problems; and, rarely, vascular disorders.  These causes range from minor to serious.  The best way to get to the bottom is to make an appointment with your doctor for an evaluationl  He will perform a history and physical examination, as well as an electrocardiogram.  At this point, he will have a better idea of what's going on and a plan of action.

Please review the areas of this website that discuss heart disease and its symptoms.  This information will give you a good base that will be helpful for your visit with your doctor.

Thanks.

Martin Cane, M.D.