Just as no two hearts beat the same, no two heart attacks are the same, even for the same person. It is different for everyone and the warning signs someone experiences before a heart attack can vary drastically from person to person.
Heart attacks happen when one or more of the coronary arteries, which supply blood to your heart, become blocked. This means blood and oxygen can’t reach the heart and causes damage to the heart muscle.
Chest discomfort or pain (also known as angina) is the most common warning sign of a heart attack. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, aching, numbness, squeezing or fullness in your chest. Many people are familiar with this warning sign, as it’s the classic sign often depicted on TV or in the movies. Sometimes people describe the pain or discomfort as “an elephant sitting on my chest”. It can spread to your arms, neck, jaw or back, lasting for several minutes or coming and going in waves. However, it is important to remember that in some people, a life-threatening heart attack can start slowly with only mild pain or discomfort. In other cases, people might not get any chest pain at all.
Did you know there are some less obvious and less common warning signs that people might experience before a heart attack? The 6 symptoms below are the major early signs of heart attack. They could let you know that you are at risk of having a heart attack up to a month before it strikes.
1. Chest Discomfort
Chest discomfort comes in many different forms, such as burning sensation, pinching, or feeling pressure in the chest. These unpleasant symptoms may occur during physical activity or while you are at rest. In case you experience any unusual sensation in the chest, consult a doctor as soon as possible.
Note: One can be having a heart attack without feeling discomfort in the chest, as it typically occurs in women.
2. Fatigue
Unexplained fatigue may also indicate that a heart attack is on its way. As arteries begin to close up, the heart starts working much harder, and this in turn makes the performance of simple tasks much more exhausting. Consequently, this may lead to sleeping much longer or feeling the urge to take a few naps during the day.
3. Dizziness
If you suddenly become unsteady on your feet, the room starts spinning or your vision starts to fade, your body may be warning you of an impending heart attack. Tell someone right away if you are experiencing these symptoms.
4. Persistent Cough
Persistent cough which doesn’t seem to subside after an extended period of time can be a sign of heart failure. This happens as result of the blood accumulated in the lungs, which is caused by the struggle of the heart to supply the body with sufficient amount of blood. White or pink mucus could be a product of blood leakage, so pay attention to this sign!
5. Nausea, indigestion, or vomiting
Indigestion, nausea, and vomiting can be symptoms of many conditions, but it is important not to dismiss them, as they can be a warning sign of a life-threatening heart attack. The best way to be sure if what you’re experiencing is critical is to seek urgent help. Medical tests can diagnose the cause of your symptoms, and if it is a heart attack, the earlier you get help, the better.
6. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is yet another common sign of an impending heart attack. The lungs and the heart wok in synergy, so as heart`s function deteriorates, the lungs fail to get sufficient amount of oxygen they need to function optimally. Hence, this leads to shortness of breath and difficulty breathing.
7. Swelling
Last but not least, heart`s struggle to pump blood may cause the blood to swell, resulting in a bloating-like effect. The legs, feet, and ankles are the major points of swelling as they are at the greatest distance from the heart. Peripheral cyanosis, a blue tinge in the extremities or on the lips, is also possible.
Sources: heartfoundation.org.au, kitchmenow.com
