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Symptoms of Heart Attack

Symptoms of Heart Attack
Table of Contents

There are no alarming symptoms of heart attack that don’t even happen in the chest and it’s not easy to elaborate what’s going on. It occurs especially if you are 60 or older, obese, prone to diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Symptoms of heart attack

Never ignore the below mentioned symptoms of heart attack that include

Chest Pain

If you have a heart attack or a blocked artery, you may feel tightness, pain, or pressure in your chest. The heart feels burdensome whereas some mention it like burning or pinching. 

The feelings for these symptoms of heart attack may last longer than a few minutes either while you are at rest or when you are doing a physical activity. Also, particularly keep in mind that heart problems or a heart attack without chest pain is common among women.

Indigestion, Heartburn, Nausea, Vomiting or Stomach Pain

Women are more likely to get these symptoms compared to men. There may be an upset stomach for many reasons which is not even related to heart attack, but you need to be cautious that it can also happen as symptoms of heart attack.

Symptoms of Heart Attack

Pain in the throat, Jaw or Arm

Pain in the throat or jaw can be probably caused by a muscular issue, a sinus problem or cold but if you experience severe pain or pressure in the center of your chest spreading into your throat or jaw, that can also be a sign of a heart attack. 

Also, it always starts from the chest and moves outward causing arm pain which turns out to be heart attacks later.

Sweating

For no obvious reason, breaking out in a cold sweat could also be a signal for heart attack. If this happens along with any other symptoms of heart attack, don’t try to drive yourself.

Dizziness or Lightheaded

If you feel unsteady all of a sudden with chest discomfort or shortness of breath, there are chances where your heart isn’t able to pump the way it should with a sudden blood pressure drop.

Persistent Cough

In most cases, persistent cough cannot be among the symptoms of heart attack. But, if you are prone to a heart disease or disorder, pay attention to the possibility. Long-lasting cough that produces a pink or white mucus, could be a sign of a heart failure.

It occurs when your heart can’t keep up with your body’s demands, causing blood to leak back into the lungs. Consult your doctor to check the reason behind this and get an immediate treatment.

Feel Fatigued or Exhausted

If you suddenly feel winded or fatigued causing significant changes than usual, it is most important to seek a medical appointment with the doctor.

Usually, women get extreme exhaustion or unexplained weakness, starting with a feel of very little ache or pain in the body. These can also be the early symptoms of heart attack.

Irregular Heart Beat

A normal heart can get nervous or excited or skip or add a beat once in a while but if you feel like the heart is beating often or for more than a few seconds, you have to check it with a doctor.

In most cases, these symptoms of heart attack are caused by something that it’s easy to fix, like not enough sleep or too much caffeine. Occasionally, it could be a signal for a condition called atrial fibrillation needing treatment.

Swollen Ankles, Legs and Feet

This could be a sign of a heart attack when blood backs up in the veins, your heart doesn’t pump blood fast enough or effectively as it should, and makes the kidneys harder to remove extra water and sodium from the body causing bloating.

Snoring

Usually, loud snoring like choking or gasping can be a sign of sleep apnea causing extra stress in your heart. You can check with your doctor if you need a sleep study to see if you have symptoms of heart attack.

Read also Best Cardiologist in Chennai.

Frequently Asked Questions

A mini heart attack, mild heart attack or silent heart attack, may not have any noticeable symptoms of heart attack or may have mild symptoms such as discomfort or pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, or indigestion-like symptoms. It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms, especially if they are sudden or severe.

Silent heart attack, also known as a silent myocardial infarction, can have few or no noticeable symptoms. Some may include:

  • Discomfort, pressure, or squeezing in the chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Fatigue or weakness
  • Jaw, neck, or back pain
  • Dizziness or light-headedness.

It is important to seek medical attention if you experience any of these symptoms of heart attack.

It is not possible to test yourself for a heart attack. If you suspect you are having a heart attack, it is important to call emergency medical services immediately. The only way to accurately diagnose the symptoms of heart attack is through medical tests such as an electrocardiogram (ECG), blood tests, and imaging tests performed by trained medical professionals.