Signs of a Heart Attack

The very idea of a heart attack frightens us. Seeing parents or dear ones in very serious condition can make you confused. Knowing the signs of a heart attack can be definitely helpful in such conditions. If you yourself are having a heart attack, you will be able to ask someone to call 911 immediately, only if you know what is happening to you (or in other case, to your dear ones).
A heart attack can be mild or massive and it can exhibit characteristic or atypical symptoms. The warning signs of a heart attack may vary from person to person. Here is a list of early signs of a heart attack.

Early Signs of a Heart Attack

The symptoms of heart attack in men and women are almost the same. The symptoms may vary according to the individual's overall health, lifestyle and age.

• Heartburn (often misinterpreted as acid reflux), nausea and increased heart rate
• Mild to severe pain in the chest, chest discomfort
• Chest congestion, unbearable pressure in the chest, chest pain
• Shortness of breath, panting
• Chocking sensation in the throat
• Nausea followed by vomiting
• Indigestion, bloating, feeling of fullness
• Excessive perspiration, dizziness, cold sweating
• Burning, squeezing or crushing sensation in chest
• High pulse rate, experiencing heart palpitations
• Pain in the jaw, sudden toothache
• Unusual headache, fainting, blackout
• Back pain or general discomfort
• Neck pain, strange discomfort experienced in neck, shoulders, stomach and left arm
• General feeling of illness, increased anxiety and excessive weakness
• Lightheadedness
• Difficulty in sleeping or standing or even sitting
• Unendurable pain in the center of the chest
• Pain in other body parts like the arms, jaws, stomach, neck, shoulder and back
• Difficulty while eating, drinking

As all of us know, chest pain, breathing difficulty, high heart rate are the characteristic symptoms of a heart attack. But some people do not notice these symptoms or they experience these symptoms in a milder form during a heart attack. Here is a list of silent heart attack symptoms.

Silent Heart Attack Symptoms

It has been observed that diabetic patients do not notice excruciating chest pain during a heart attack. A silent heart attack usually exhibits symptoms like:

• Mild pain in chest which usually goes unnoticed
• Mild discomfort in the chest
• Mild pressure or slight squeezing in the middle of the chest
• Slight difficulty while breathing
• Disturbed sleep
• Increased weakness
• Prolonged abdominal pain

The symptoms of a silent heart attack may go away after taking some rest but these symptoms also need prompt medical attention. The doctor can diagnose a heart attack with the help of blood tests, ECG (electrocardiogram) and the medical history of the patient. Statistics show that more than 70% of women experience atypical heart attack symptoms. Here is a list of such symptoms.


Atypical Heart Attack Symptoms

• Acidity
• Bloating, flatulence
• Fever, chills
• Headache
• Cough, sore throat
• Body ache
• General flu like symptoms
• Anxiety and restlessness

Remember, the symptoms can be mild or silent; but the situation can be as serious as in case of severe symptoms. Negligence can cause extensive damage to the heart muscle or even death is possible. Prompt medical treatment can help save the life or can minimize the damage to the heart. Diabetic patients, those diagnosed with heart diseases, high cholesterol and high blood pressure, those who smoke or drink heavily, those who follow a very hectic lifestyle and obese are more likely to have a heart attack. I hope this article whets your appetite regarding what are the signs of a heart attack. Take care!

By Leena Palande