Heart Attacks Don't Wait, Know the Signs Today

The leading cause of death worldwide is heart disease, affecting both men and women. Recognizing the warning signs of a heart attack is crucial as it can occur suddenly or without obvious symptoms. By understanding these signs, you can potentially save your own life or the life of someone you care about ().

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Signs of Heart Attack: Be Aware, Show your Heart you Care

Here are the most common indicators that may occur up to a month before a heart attack:

Chest Pain

: Chest pain or discomfort is a common sign of a heart attack. It may feel like pressure, tightness, or someone squeezing your chest. The pain can also radiate to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach. Shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, or vomiting may accompany the pain. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience chest pain lasting more than a few minutes.

Fatigue

: Feeling excessively tired or worn out, even after a stressful day or restless night, can be a warning sign. This fatigue is often due to decreased blood flow to the heart, causing the heart to work harder. Approximately 70% of women experience fatigue before a heart attack.

Dizziness

: Dizziness, especially when accompanied by chest pain or shortness of breath, can indicate a heart attack. You may feel lightheaded or as if you're about to faint. This dizziness may result from reduced blood flow to the brain or an irregular heartbeat caused by a heart attack.

Indigestion or Nausea

: Abdominal pain, upset stomach, nausea (with or without food), or a bloated feeling can occur before a heart attack. These sensations may be the body's response to a lack of oxygen in the blood. Acid reflux or heartburn can also be overlooked symptoms of a heart attack.

Sweating

: Excessive sweating or breaking out in a cold sweat, unrelated to menopause or exercise, could indicate an impending heart attack. The body triggers a fight-or-flight response when it's in distress, leading to sweating.

Swelling in the Legs, Ankles, and/or Feet

: Unusual swelling in these areas may signify inadequate blood pumping throughout the body.

Irregular Heartbeat

: While excessive caffeine consumption can cause a rapid heartbeat, in rare cases, it can be a symptom of atrial fibrillation (afib). Insufficient blood supply affects the entire body, potentially leading to various complications.

Pain in other Body Parts

: Apart from chest pain, discomfort or pain in the arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach may occur. The pain may resemble pressure, squeezing, or fullness and can come and go or last for several minutes or more. Your body sends signals throughout when your heart is in trouble.

Shortness of Breath

: Feeling breathless, as if you can't catch your breath, or having difficulty breathing are common signs of a heart attack. Wheezing or coughing may also accompany this sensation. It occurs when the heart cannot pump sufficient blood to meet the body's demands. If you experience trouble breathing, seek immediate medical attention.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical attention. Delaying treatment can lead to further damage to the heart. Take the following steps:

Tips to Prevent Heart Attacks
Heart Attack occurs when the flow of oxygenated blood to heart muscles is hindered or stopped due to built-up of plaques in coronary arteries. Heart Attack is the No.1 killer among Indians.

Heart Attack: Act Fast, Heart Attacks Don't Last

Call Emergency Services

: Dial 911 or request an ambulance immediately.

Take Aspirin

: If you have aspirin available and are not allergic to it, chew and swallow one 325-milligram tablet while awaiting emergency services. This can help reduce the risk of blood clotting and improve blood flow to the heart.

Rest

: Stay calm and avoid physical activity while waiting for medical assistance. Sit down, rest, and take slow, deep breaths.

Provide Information

: When the emergency medical team arrives, provide them with comprehensive information about your symptoms, medical history, and medications you are taking.

Heart Attack - Overview
Heart attack is the death of the heart muscle due to loss of blood supply. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. Other names for heart attack include acute myocardial infarction, coronary thrombosis, and coronary occlusion.

Heart Attacks: Prevention is Better than Cure

To reduce the risk of a heart attack, take the following actions:

Maintain a Healthy Lifestyle

: Consume a balanced and nutritious diet, engage in regular exercise, and maintain a healthy weight. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week.

Quit Smoking

: If you smoke, quitting is essential. Smoking is a significant risk factor for heart disease, and quitting can significantly reduce your risk.

Manage Health Conditions

: Keep conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes under control with appropriate medication and lifestyle modifications.

Reduce Stress

: Employ relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises to manage stress. High-stress levels can increase the risk of a heart attack.

It is also important to have regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your overall health and assess your risk for heart disease.

By following these steps, you can significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack and promote a healthy heart.

Reference:

Cardiovascular diseases - (https://www.who.int/health-topics/cardiovascular-diseases#tab=tab_1)

Source-Medindia