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Early Signs of a Heart Attack & How to Help

Heart attack occurs when the blood flow to our heart is either reduced or blocked. This happens due to deposition of fat, cholesterol and other substances in the arteries. The fatty deposits that contain cholesterol are known as plaques, which often rupture and generate a clot that ultimately blocks the blood flow. If you see someone else experiencing heart attack symptoms, get medical help without any delay as the signs are quite sudden and intense.

Heart Attack Symptoms

While heart attack may occur suddenly, they usually result from a long-standing heart disease. Many risk factors contribute to a heart attack such as age, heredity, stress, poor diet, obesity, high blood pressure or cholesterol, etc. Let’s get to know about heart attack symptoms in detail:

• Chest Discomfort:

Nearly all heart attacks involve chest discomfort wherein the pain usually lasts for a few minutes or it may come and go away. One might alsofeel uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or tightness, and while this is the most common heart attack symptom, it doesn’t occur in every case.

• Shortness of Breath:

One may experience shortness of breath with chest discomfort or without any discomfort as well. As breathing and pumping of blood are directly related, breathing properly might become challenging. This symptom may often accompany unusual fatigue in women.

• Discomfort in Upper Body:

One may experience pain and tightness in other areas of the upper body such as in one or both arms, jaw, shoulders, upper abdomen, back, or neck.

• Dizziness:

One might start feeling dizzy or lightheaded. While it may happen to both men and women, it is more commonly seen in women.

• Fatigue:

While this is one of the lesser knownheart attack symptoms, if you’re constantly tired or exhausted then something is not right and one must get it checked.

• Nausea:

One may start feeling nauseous or lightheaded. There may also be mild gastrointestinal problems like indigestion before a heart attack.

• Sweating:

Sweating without any activity is not a usual thing hence; consult a doctor if you are having cold sweats or clammy skin.

• Heart Palpitations:

One may feel their heart throbbing or pounding.

Different Symptoms in Men and Women

The most important thing to understand is that men and women may sometimes experience different heart attack symptoms. While chest pain applies to both men and women, there are some other common symptoms that women are more likely to experience than men. These include indigestion, jaw pain, back pain, shortness of breath, and nausea.

Call for Help

Timing is of utmost importance when it comes to health and acting fast can help save lives. So make sure to learn the heart attack symptoms and signs.If you find someone unconscious and you think they’re experiencing a heart attack, call your local emergency number.

Check for a pulse and whether they’re breathing or not. If you find no pulse or see they’re not breathing, then you must give them a CPR.If you have no training or experience, do a hands-only CPR, wherein you will have to push hard and fast on their chest- around 100-120 compressions per minute. If you have training or experience in CPR, begin by doing 30 chest compressions before you give 2 rescue breaths.

Conclusion

All in all, heart attack symptoms and warning signs must be basic knowledge which everyone should know. If everyone learns about this, it will help to save many lives.

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your Doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

Sources: HealthPedia India

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Published on August 09, 2022