A new study suggests a potential link between carpal tunnel syndrome and heart failure, two seemingly unrelated conditions. Carpal tunnel syndrome is a common neurological issue caused by the narrowing of the wrist’s carpal tunnel, resulting in pressure on the median nerve and leading to hand and wrist pain, numbness, and weakness.
On the other hand, heart failure occurs when the heart doesn’t pump enough blood due to various factors like coronary heart disease or irregular heartbeats.
The study, published in JAMA Network Open, found that elderly patients with carpal tunnel syndrome have a 39% higher likelihood of developing heart failure during a 10-year follow-up compared to those without the condition.
Researchers suggest that the link may be due to an increased build-up of faulty proteins similar to those seen in patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis, who also face heart failure. However, the study does not prove causation, and people with carpal tunnel syndrome need not be alarmed about heart failure.
