Heart attacks result in some 325,000 people dying each year before they ever reach the hospital for help. Many of these deaths are preventable.
A heart attack is a serious medical emergency that occurs when the blood supply to the heart muscle is blocked, often as a result of a build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person and can be subtle.
What Signs Should I Look For?
The most common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain, pressure, or tightness, which can spread to the arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach.
Other typical symptoms include shortness of breath, lightheadedness or dizziness, breaking out in a cold sweat, and feeling sick or having a fast, fluttering, or pounding heartbeat.
However, these symptoms are not always present. Instead, you may experience other easily-ignored symptoms that are not typically associated with a heart attack.
What Signs Are Often Overlooked?
Jaw, Stomach, or Neck Pain or Discomfort
If you are feeling pain or discomfort in any of these areas and it isn’t related to an injury, you should be concerned. This may also be accompanied by generalized weakness or lack of energy.
Indigestion
While this is an everyday occurrence for some people, for others, it may be a sign of a heart attack, especially in women. This symptom is often combined with back or chest pain, jaw pain, anxiety, or excessive sweating.
Fatigue
This type of fatigue often feels different from what most people describe as “normal.” This fatigue is often described as the feeling that something just isn’t right. It is more than just being tired; it is often accompanied by shortness of breath or other subtle symptoms.
Headaches
While this may not be a heart attack symptom, women who experience migraines with an aura such as blind spots, flashes of light, or tingling in the hands or face are at double risk of having a heart attack.
Generalized Weakness
If you notice that you don’t feel as strong as normal, it may be worth a visit to the doctor. While you may be tempted to push through this, if you notice a significant change in your overall strength, you may need to consider further medical attention.
How can I Prevent a Heart Attack?
Prevention is key to reducing the risk of a heart attack. A healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular physical activity, and not smoking, can help to reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attack.
Maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and controlling high blood pressure and cholesterol levels can also help.
In Conclusion
When it comes to heart disease and heart attacks, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. If you are having any of the above symptoms, even if you don’t go to the hospital, at minimum, follow up with your primary care doctor to ensure that your heart is healthy. Time is of the essence, and early treatment can prevent or minimize damage to the heart muscle.
We specialize in educating and helping you protect what you have for the people you love the most. Contact us to learn more about how we can help.
