What most people don’t realise, is that heart attacks rarely happen “out of the blue” and are mostly preventable.
In fact, your body may be trying to warn you of an approaching heart attack for days, weeks, perhaps even a month or two before it actually happens. Unfortunately, by the time you actually recognise you’re suffering a heart attack, it could be too late to prevent death or debilitating heart damage.
In order to avoid serious effects, it is very important to know what your body may be trying to tell you.
The 4 signs of a heart attack
1. Chest Pain and Tightness
Chest pain with a sudden onset that is severe and makes you need to stop whatever you are doing could be a possible heart attack. Some people describe the feeling of a heart attack as; an elephant on the chest, full feeling, squeezing pressure, aching or pain/pressure in the middle of the chest. If you experience these sensations try to rest and if it does not go away or comes and goes you may be having a heart attack.
2. Sweating
When you sweat normal amounts during exercise or on hot days, this is a natural body reaction to keep you cool. If you break out in “cold sweats” during rest or when it is cool and your skin turns clammy, this may be a sign of artery blockage and you should see a doctor. On the same note, if you have “night sweats” you could have heart trouble.
3. Indigestion, Nausea and Vomiting
Prior to a heart attack, some people may experience stomach upset or indigestion. If you are older and already have problems with digestion, it could be very easy to mistake a heart attack for normal indigestion. In those who do not suffer from digestive issues, a sudden onset of heartburn or indigestion could be the first sign of a heart attack.
4. Pain in Other Parts of the Body
This symptom, also known as “referred pain,” could be a sign of an impending heart attack. Heart attack pain can travel to different areas including; the left arm, shoulder, throat, jaw, teeth back and abdomen. If you have any of the above symptoms with referred pain, you need to get emergency medical help right away.
Other signs include:
- shortness of breath
- feeling weak and/or lightheaded
- an overwhelming feeling of anxiety.
If you have any of the symptoms above, you could be having a heart attack.
Time is the single most important factor in saving a life during a heart attack. If your symptoms are severe, get worse quickly or last longer than 10 minutes call triple zero (000) immediately and ask for an ambulance. If calling triple zero (000) does not work on your mobile try calling 112.
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