What are the warning signs of a heart attack?
- Chest pain or chest discomfort
- Pain or discomfort in other parts of the body
- Nausea and lightheadedness
- Shortness of breath
- Unusual fatigue
- Cold sweats
Heart attacks (also known as myocardial infarction) occur when one or more coronary arteries supplying blood to the heart become blocked. If the plaque that build-up in the heart’s arteries ruptures, a blood clot blocks the arteries and causes a heart attack. Many people expect that heart attacks are sudden and intense, but in most cases, they are less noticeable with little to no symptoms. That being said, it’s extremely important to know about the warning signs of a heart attack.
According to WHO, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. Approximately 17.9 million people died from cardiovascular diseases and 85% of these were due to heart attack or stroke. Nearly half of the people who have a heart attack don’t realize it is occurring at the time. These instances referred to as silent heart attacks (also known as silent ischemia) are commonly diagnosed only after the event, making it extremely dangerous. This is primarily why it is crucial to call emergency health services from your nearest Las Pinas doctors if you or a loved one is exhibiting symptoms of a heart attack.
So what are the signs of a heart attack — both mild and intense? Here are 6 warning signs of heart attack you should be on the lookout for:
Chest Pain or Chest Discomfort
If you picture someone having a heart attack, chances are a person clutching their chest before falling unconscious comes to mind. This is because the most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or chest discomfort. Chest pain or chest discomfort associated with heart attacks may happen during physical activities.
During a heart attack, the blocked artery causes a feeling of pain, tightness, or pressure in the chest. Every patient has differing answers when describing this feeling. Some say it feels like “an elephant is sitting on them”, others say it is like a squeezing sensation. You may feel this pain or discomfort in the center of the chest and it can last for a few minutes and go away, or recur. This may be due to the lack of oxygen being supplied to the heart muscles.
Pain or Discomfort In Other Parts Of The Body
Women tend to report that heart attacks cause pain particularly in the lower abdomen and lower portion of the chest. Take note that the pain or discomfort may not be concentrated on the chest alone. Pain or discomfort in other parts of the body can also be a warning sign of a heart attack.
The reduction in blood flow through arteries means the heart is not getting enough blood. This causes poor blood circulation throughout the body. Thus, the pressure, tightness, pain, or squeezing sensation can radiate from the chest to the neck, throat, jaw, back, shoulders, arms, and abdomen.
Nausea and Lightheadedness
Nausea and lightheadedness are also common warning symptoms that patients suffering from heart attack state. Due to the irregular blood pumping from the arteries, the heart may beat too slow. The abnormally low heart rate can cause the brain and other organs to become oxygen-deprived, causing dizziness and even vomiting.
Some patients report the sensation as if they might pass out if they overexert themselves. If you are feeling lightheaded, it’s important to never ignore it as it may entail a medical emergency.
Shortness of Breath
Your rate of breathing and blood pumping are closely related. This is because the heart pumps blood and oxygen that circulates to other tissues as well as the lungs. During a heart attack when the heart cannot pump blood well, you may feel shortness of breath.
Research has found that chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack among men, while shortness of breath is the third most reported symptom of a heart attack among women.
Unusual Fatigue
If you suddenly feel tired after doing simple activities you had no problem doing in the past, such as walking up the stairs or carrying groceries from your vehicle, it can be a sign of a heart attack.
The weak rate blood pump lessens the volume of blood circulation throughout the body, which causes extreme exhaustion or unexplained weakness. Shortness of breath associated with heart attacks can occur alongside unusual fatigue.
Cold Sweats
If you break out in a cold sweat when you are not exerting yourself — especially if accompanied by symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea — it can be a warning sign of a heart attack.
Cold sweats feel like a sudden chill throughout the body, regardless of the environment’s temperature. The reason behind this symptom is that the clogged arteries force the heart to exert more effort in pumping blood. Cold sweats occur as a “fight or flight” response of the body.
Key Takeaway
In this article, we’ve rounded up some of the warning signs of a heart attack. Contrary to the belief of many, chest pain is not the only symptom of a heart attack. We cannot stress enough the importance of being vigilant about these warning signs because a heart attack can be fatal.
If you suspect you or someone else is having a heart attack, contact Perpetual Health Medical Center – Las Pinas immediately at (+632)8874-ALTA (8874) or visit our hospital branch at Alabang-Zapote Rd., Pamplona III Las Pinas City, Philippines 1740.
