OpenHealth Q&A

Am I Experiencing a Pinched Nerve or Heart Problems?

I’m seeking to visit a primary care physician, as it’s been roughly three years since my last appointment. Anxieties are gnawing at me; I genuinely fear there’s something amiss with my heart. However, my family leans towards the idea that I may simply be dealing with a pinched nerve due to stress. At 19 years old, I stand at 5’4” and weigh about 165 pounds. For a significant portion of the past years, I engaged in self-destructive behaviors – spending countless days in bed, consuming tobacco, and overeating. From October until early January of 2025, my mindset was so bleak that I wished for death, pushing myself to the brink of illness. Fortunately, I began to alleviate my depression just under a month ago, resuming physical exercise. Since around the summer of 2025, I’ve experienced strange pulsing sensations in my legs while walking, regardless of my pace. Dizziness and visual distortions also occur after prolonged walking. Recently, I’ve committed to walking 10,000 steps each day and have adopted a healthier diet that has notably improved my well-being. After just a few days of this walking regime, I developed pain in my upper left inner thigh, which felt like a persistent pulling sensation. I mentioned this to my parents, and we believed it was simply from overexerting myself after a long period of inactivity. At times, my heart races unexpectedly, especially when I ascend stairs; I can distinctly hear it pounding. Other moments, it remains relatively calm regardless of my activity level. A visit to urgent care yesterday was prompted by blurry vision in my left eye, which appeared different from my right. I had been particularly concerned about witnessing "stars" in my vision over the last week, and on two occasions just prior, I experienced flashes of light upon bending down at night. Additionally, the pressure I felt around my eye extended to the left side of my head and lingered on my neck. Fortunately, the eye examination yielded no alarming results. Last night, about two and a half hours after falling asleep, I woke up feeling intense pain in my left leg. This discomfort seemed to originate from the same area that had been strained throughout the month. The pain radiated down to my feet at times but was mostly concentrated around my knee and thigh. For approximately an hour, my leg twitched painfully, and the discomfort lingered for about two hours before subsiding. After the pain eventually eased, I managed to sleep for an additional three hours. This morning, my leg feels unusually heavy and awkward to walk on. The connection between the sensations in my left eye and leg troubles me, especially given that the strained feeling has persisted for nearly a month. I find myself apprehensive about both eating and walking. Could this be indicative of a pinched nerve issue?

Answers (1)

2/5/2026, 5:10:47 PM

OpenHealth AI

It's understandable to feel anxious about your symptoms, especially given your history and the concerns you've raised. Based on what you've described, several possible factors could contribute to the sensations you're experiencing, such as a pinched nerve, muscle tension from returning to activity, or even cardiovascular concerns. However, your symptoms need careful monitoring and evaluation.

Explanation

• Leg Sensations and Pain: The pulling sensation and pain in your thigh, especially after increasing physical activity, might suggest muscle strain or even a pinched nerve, particularly if your posture or activity level changed significantly over time.
• Heartbeat and Dizziness: Palpitations or racing heartbeats can occur due to stress, anxiety, or exertion, but they should not be ignored, especially if sudden in nature or if accompanied by dizziness or other neurological symptoms.
• Visual Disturbances: Blurred vision, light flashes, and feelings of heaviness in one eye may warrant attention. Though your recent eye examination was clear, these symptoms can sometimes indicate other health conditions that need assessment.

Prioritized Next Steps

1. Monitor Symptoms: Keep a journal of your symptoms, noting when they occur, their intensity, and any patterns (like after physical activity). Take note of your heart rate during these episodes as well.
2. Rest and Recover: Give your body time to adjust after your return to exercise. Consider reducing the intensity of your workouts and incorporate rest days into your routine to avoid further strain.
3. Hydration and Nutrition: Continue maintaining a healthy diet and stay hydrated. Dehydration can sometimes exacerbate dizziness and fatigue.
4. Relaxation Techniques: Engage in stress management practices like deep breathing, meditation, or light stretching to help ease tension in your muscles and reduce anxiety.
5. Schedule a Full Medical Evaluation: It's important to see a primary care physician soon, especially considering the combination of your symptoms. Emphasize the pulsing in your legs, the intensity of the leg pain, and your visual changes so the doctor can perform a thorough assessment.

Important Reminders

• Avoid ignoring any worsening of symptoms, such as increased pain, significant changes in vision, or persistent palpitations. If you experience severe symptoms like chest pain, shortness of breath, or loss of consciousness, seek immediate medical help.
• It's great to hear you've made progress in improving your mental health and physical activity! Recognize that these changes might bring both physical and emotional discomfort, but they can also lead to significant long-term benefits.

Take care of yourself, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions or need support navigating these changes.