Heart attacks affect many individuals. Some of these persons have warning symptoms and signs and often fail to seek urgent medical attention. The quicker you get medical attention when a heart attack occurs the better the chance of survival. It is important that individuals know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Warning signs and symptoms
Not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain that is often shown on TV or in the movies. Many individuals are aware of some of the symptoms of a heart attack such as: gasping for air, the clasping of hands over the chest, and pain so severe that the victim collapses to the floor. Many individuals having a heart attack do not have these classical symptoms.
In a study of nearly 900 heart attack patients, 65 percent experienced a slow onset of symptoms, according to researchers at Trinity College in Ireland. These included chest and left arm discomfort, shortness of breath and fatigue.
If you think your heart is in danger, your first call should be to 911. It is recommended that to help save your heart, use an uncoated (321 milligrams) aspirin. Chewing gets the aspirin to work faster than swallowing.
Symptoms of heart attacks
Symptoms might vary from one individual to another. Heart attacks can start slowly and cause only mild pain or discomfort. Symptoms can be mild or more intense and sudden. Symptoms also may come and go over several hours. The most common symptom, in both men and women, is chest pain or discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the centre or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe. Other symptoms might include:
• Upper body discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).
• Shortness of breath. This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.
People who have diabetes mellitus (high blood sugar) may have no symptoms or very mild ones. Diabetics, especially if the diabetes poorly controlled, tend to have an increased risk of having an heart attack. Symptoms in women might not be as classical as those in men.
Some othersymptoms that might indicate a heart attack
There are some symptoms that occur in other conditions, but also occur in individuals having an heart attack. These include the following:
Increase sweating
Your body perceives a heart attack as an acute stressor, which stimulates the fight-or-flight response and causes you to break out into a cold sweat. It can be difficult to distinguish heart attack clamming from the pre-presentation sweats, but if you have no reason to be sweating up a storm, it could be a red flag for an heart attack.
You feel nauseous
Due to a parasympathetic nervous system in overdrive, nausea and vomiting can come on suddenly if a heart attack is imminent. Often the feeling comes on suddenly without warning.
Heartburn
During a heart attack, reduced blood flow to your arteries can simulate heartburn-like symptoms such as burning in the chest or throat and difficulty swallowing. It may look a lot like classic heartburn, but if it happens for the first time, and you have risk factors for heart disease as well as nausea, weakness or sweating, you could be having a heart attack.
Dizziness
Light-headedness or sudden dizziness can occur in individuals having an heart attack.
Conclusion
Not everyone having a heart attack has typical symptoms of severe chest pain, and it is important to know the other symptoms and signs that might indicate a heart attack. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can develop suddenly, but they can also develop slowly, sometimes over days or even weeks.Any time you think you might be having heart attack symptoms or a heart attack, do not ignore it or feel embarrassed to call for help. Call 911 for emergency medical care, even if you are not sure whether you are having a heart attack. Acting fast can save your life.
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.
