Most of us are aware of the typical symptoms and signs of a heart attack, but many persons can have a heart attack without the typical symptoms and signs. In some individuals, especially women, the symptoms might be very vague and might be missed and this can lead to serious consequences.
What is a heart attack?
Heart attacks occur among women and men in Anguilla every year. A heart attack, or myocardial infarction (MI), is permanent damage to the heart muscle. This is usually the result to decrease blood supply and oxygen to the heart muscle. During a heart attack, symptoms last 30 minutes or longer and are not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin under the tongue. Urgent medical attention is required following a heart attack. Early treatment is important to prevent complications and even death.
Some people have a heart attack without having any symptoms (a “silent” myocardial infarction). A silent MI can occur in anyone, but it is more common among people with diabetes. Symptoms of heart might vary from one individual to another.
What are the symptoms and signs of a heart attack?
The following are some symptoms and signs of a heart attack in adults:
1. Chest pain or discomfort. Chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom, but some women may experience it differently than men. It may feel like a squeezing or fullness, and the pain can be anywhere in the chest, not just on the left side. The feeling can be very uncomfortable and might feel like a vise being tightened.
2. Pain in your arm(s), back, neck, or jaw. This type of pain is more common in women than in men. It may confuse women who expect their pain to be focused on their chest and left arm, not their back or jaw. The pain can be gradual or sudden, and it may wax and wane before becoming intense. If you are asleep, it may wake you up.
3. Stomach pain. Sometimes people mistake stomach pain that signals a heart attack with heartburn, the flu, or a stomach ulcer. Some describe the pain like a heavy load on their stomach.
4. Shortness of breath, nausea, or lightheadedness. If you are having trouble breathing for no apparent reason, you could be having a heart attack, especially if you are also having one or more other symptoms.
5. Sweating. Breaking out in a nervous, cold sweat is common among women who are having a heart attack. It will feel more like stress-related sweating than perspiration from exercising or spending time outside in the heat. Sweating might be related to menopause as well.
6. Fatigue. Some women who have heart attacks feel extremely tired, even if they’ve been sitting still for a while or haven’t moved much.
Not everyone gets all of those symptoms. If you have chest discomfort, especially if you also have one or more of the other signs, call 911 immediately.
If you feel heart attack symptoms:
• Do not delay getting help.Women generally wait longer than men before going to the emergency room. Even if you think your symptoms are not that bad or will pass, the stakes are too high.
• Do not drive yourself to the hospital. You need an ambulance. If you drive, you could have an accident on the way and possibly hurt yourself or someone else.
• Do not have a friend or relative drive you, either. You may not get there fast enough.
• Do not dismiss what you feel. Some individuals are well aware of how they feel and recognise that something is wrong. You have to get it checked out right away.
After a heart attack, quick treatment to open the blocked artery is essential to lessen the amount of damage. At the first signs of a heart attack, call for emergency treatment (usually 911). The best time to treat a heart attack is within one to two hours of the first onset of symptoms. Waiting longer increases the damage to your heart and reduces your chance of survival.
Preventing heart attacks
While heart attacks are common, they are also, for many people, preventable. Making healthy lifestyle decisions is crucial in protecting our hearts.
The first step in preventing a heart attack is to assess your risk. Talk to your doctor about your risks for a heart attack. You can also do the following:
• Quit smoking
• Eat more fruits and vegetables
• Maintain a healthy body weight
• Read food labels and choose healthier foods
• Manage your diabetes
• Exercise regularly
• Reduce salt intake
• Avoid saturated and trans fats
• Manage your blood pressure
• Reduce stress in your life
• Control blood cholesterol
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Eat more whole grains and lean proteins
Conclusion
Recognising the signs and symptoms of a heart attack and seeking urgent medical attention go a long way in preventing the complications that might follow a heart attack. Heart attacks will continue to occur but we can do a lot to prevent many heart attacks from occurring. Talk to your doctor today.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
