Warning Signs of a Heart Attack
Discomfort in the chest is the most common potential warning sign of a heart attack. But is that the only one? No! Not every heart concern is related to the chest or exhibits a clear warning sign. Hence, identifying a heart attack could be challenging. However, besides chest discomfort, what are the other possible indications of a heart attack? Let’s look at ten warning signs in this blog.
1.Chest Discomfort
As mentioned earlier, chest discomfort is the most common indication of a heart attack. A blocked artery or heart attack may cause pressure, tightness, or pain in the chest. Usually, the feeling lasts for a few minutes and may happen when you are doing some physical activity or resting. But in some cases, heart attacks may come without chest pain. Such an occurrence is more common in women.
2.Pain Radiating to the Arm
Pain that spreads down to the left side of the body is another potential indication of a heart attack. Usually, it begins from the chest and moves outward. However, in some cases, patients may experience only arm pain and suffer a heart attack.
3.Jaw or Throat Pain
Pain in the throat or jaw alone isn’t related to the heart. It could be a sinus, cold, or a muscular problem. But pain or pressure in the center of the chest spreading to the jaw or throat could be a sign of a heart attack.
4.Unusual Snoring
A little snoring is common while sleeping. However, unusually loud snoring with a feeling like choking or gasping may indicate sleep apnea. The condition involves several brief spells of breathlessness while you are still asleep. It can stress your heart. The doctor can check if you need a sleep study to see if you have sleep apnea. If yes, you may require a CPAP machine to make breathing more comfortable during sleep.
5.Continuous Sweating
Sweating even when you aren’t doing anything may be an early heart attack sign. The heart has to work harder to pump blood through the clogged arteries. Thus, the body sweats more to keep the body temperature down during the additional exertion.
6.Fatigue
Fatigue and shortness of breath are more common occurrences in women than in men. Both these conditions may begin months before the heart attack occurs. Hence, if you feel tired or gasp for breath, you should get it diagnosed at its early stage.
7.Lightheadedness
Dizziness and lightheadedness can accompany a heart attack. The person may feel like losing balance or fainting for a moment. In some cases, hunger or thirst may cause it. But sometimes, it could happen even when you stand up suddenly.
However, if you suddenly feel unsteady and experience discomfort in the chest or shortness of breath, you should seek medical assistance. It could refer to a drop in the blood pressure and the heart’s inability to pump like normal.
8.Nausea, Indigestion, and Vomiting
These signs are more common in women than in men. An upset stomach could be due to a reason not related to your heart. However, you may experience it during a heart attack as well. If you do and are at risk of heart problems, consult a doctor.
9.Heart Palpitations
Heart palpitations may feature skipping a beat to changes in the heart rhythm that can feel like your heart is throbbing or pounding. Our body and heart depend on a steady beat to move the blood in the body. A heart attack disrupts that beat. If the palpitations occur with chest pressure, dizziness, fainting, or chest pain, a heart attack is evident.
10.Shortness of Breath
The heart pumping blood and breathing have a close relation. The heart pumps blood to circulate to the tissues and get oxygen from the lungs. If the heart malfunctions while pumping blood, you can experience shortness of breath.
Heart attacks and its warning signs require prompt and expert medical intervention to treat them early and prevent them from causing irreparable damage or fatality. Call us at +91 – 20 – 24261530 for more on heart health and treatment.
