Heart attack is very serious and can happen to anybody, so knowing signs or symptoms is really important. Many people don’t exactly know what symptoms of heart attack are or confuse it with other problems. In this article I will try explain common symptoms of heart attack, some less known signs, and what to do if you or someone else having heart attack.
What Is Heart Attack?
Before symptoms, good to know what heart attack is. Heart attack happens when blood flow to heart muscle suddenly block, usually by blood clot. Without blood, heart muscle get damaged or die. This is dangerous and need emergency treatment fast.
Common Symptoms of Heart Attack
Most people know some symptoms but not all. Here are common ones:
Chest Pain or Discomfort
This is typical symptom. People feel pain or pressure center of chest more than few minutes. Can feel squeezing, heaviness or fullness. Sometimes pain come and go.
Pain In Other Areas
Pain not only chest. Can also spread to arms (left mostly), back, neck, jaw or stomach. Called referred pain.
Shortness of Breath
Feeling breathless or hard to breath even when rest can be sign of heart attack. Sometimes with chest pain sometimes without.
Sweating
Sudden cold sweat without reason can be heart attack sign.
Nausea or Vomiting
Some people feel sick or throw up during heart attack.
Lightheaded or Dizziness
Feeling dizzy or faint can also happen.
Less Common Symptoms
Not everyone have chest pain. Women, older people, diabetics have unusual symptoms like:
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Fatigue or extreme tiredness
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Indigestion or heartburn feeling
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Pain upper back or jaw no chest pain
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Anxiety or feeling bad doom
Because symptoms different, take any unusual chest discomfort seriously.
Heart Attack Symptoms In Women
Women often different symptoms than men. Sometimes ignored or mistaken as less serious.
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Unusual tiredness
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Nausea or vomiting
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Shortness breath
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Jaw, neck or back pain without chest pain
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Dizziness
If woman have these better seek emergency.
What To Do If You Think Heart Attack?
If you or someone has heart attack symptoms:
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Call ambulance immediately! Don’t wait or drive self. Time very important.
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Sit down and rest, stay calm.
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Take nitroglycerin if prescribed.
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If person unconscious and not breathing, start CPR if know how.
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Don’t ignore even if symptoms go away for short time.
Why Fast Action Important?
Heart muscle start dying minutes after blood flow cut. Faster get treatment better chance survive and less damage. Hospitals do angioplasty or clot dissolving medicine.
Causes Of Heart Attack
Main cause is coronary artery disease (CAD) where arteries clog with fatty plaques. When plaque rupture blood clot block artery. Risk factors:
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High blood pressure
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High cholesterol
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Smoking
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Diabetes
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Obesity
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No exercise
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Family history
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Stress
When To See Doctor?
If you have risk factors or family history, check heart regularly. Also if have chest pain or symptoms on off.
How To Prevent Heart Attack?
Better prevent than cure. To reduce risk:
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Eat healthy food like fruits, vegetables, whole grains
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Exercise daily (30 mins)
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No smoking, limit alcohol
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Control blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes
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Keep healthy weight
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Manage stress
Common Mistakes People Do
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Ignore symptoms thinking will go away
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Drive self to hospital instead call ambulance
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Think only chest pain mean heart attack
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Try home remedies or delay hospital visit
These mistakes can be fatal. Always take symptoms seriously.
Conclusion
Heart attack symptoms can be different but chest pain, short breath, sweat, nausea are common. Women and some others have different symptoms. If suspect heart attack, act fast call emergency.