Question

I have noticed a problem in my right arm where it started hurting; one of my veins started feeling flat to the touch, as if no blood was running through it. Has anybody heard of such a thing being possible? What could cause it to happen?

Answer

The large surface veins in the upper and lower arm can normally be flat or engorged. This usually depends on the position of the arm. The arteries of the arm are located deeper in the arm and supply blood to the veins, which bring the blood back to the heart.

When your hand is held over your head (so the arm veins are above the level of the heart) the veins in the arm are usually flat. When your arm is at the level of the heart the veins are slightly full, and when the arm is held down by your side the veins become engorged with blood. These factors all have to do with the pressure exerted by the heart and gravity. This is all perfectly normal.