Online CPR Certification Blog
Ten heart attack early warning signs that you should look out for
Date: April 2nd, 2019
10 heart attack early warning signs that you should look out for
Heart attack occurs when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked.
This blockage is often due to the build up of fat, cholesterol and other substances to form plague.
Most heart problems are not accompanied with clear warning signs and someone might just end up dying mysteriously.
Luckily heart attacks or myocardial infarctioncome with clear warning signs, but when these signs areignored it can lead to death.
Listed below are some early heart attack warning signs to look out for:
- Feeling of discomfort in the chest
This is the most common sign of heart attack, and it is usually as a result of blocked arteries.
These blocked arteries, cause an uncomfortable feeling of pain, pressure, and tightness in the chest. It is very important to keep in mind (especially ladies), you may not feel any chest pain even when you are at risk of a heart attack.
- A spreading pain to the arm
A common sign of heart attack is a painful sensation that usually starts from the left side of the body and radiates to the other part, especially the arms.
- A feeling of lightheartedness/ dizziness
This feeling of lightheadedness or dizziness can be attributed to the fact that your blood pressure begins to drop simply because your heart is now unable to pump blood as a result of the plague blockages.
- Sore throat or painful jaws
These signs on their own are not symptoms of heart problems, but if you begin to feel these symptoms together, you are most likely to be suffering from a heart problem.
Therefore, it is advised that you go for a proper medical check-up or seek the attention of certified medical personnel to avoid a heart attack.
- Fatigue
When you experience a sudden feeling of fatigue or exhaustion after doing some of your usual activities like driving, hiking or walking up the stairs, you should definitely visit your doctor.
For women an unknown extreme feeling of fatigue or exhaustion over a period of timecan most definitely mean that they are suffering from heart disease.
Remember, it must be a feeling of extreme exhaustion not just the normal fatigue after your normal workout routine.
- Abnormal Snoring
Snoring is very normal, but an abnormally loud snore that sounds as if you are gasping for air or choking may be a sign of sleep apnea, which puts a lot of pressure and stress on your heart.
For anybody who experiences this, you are advised to consult a medical practitioner and ask for a sleep studyto be conducted on you to help determine your condition.
If you are suffering from this condition CPAP machine will help smoothen your breathing as you sleep.
- Persistent Coughing
This usually isn’t a sign related to heart trouble, but persons who are aware that they are at risk of heart diseases should pay close attention to the possibility that their persistent cough may be a sign of an impending heart attack.
If your cough produces pink or white mucus, then you are most likely at risk of heart failure. This pink or white mucus is as a result of your heart’s inability to meet your body’s demand, and this, in turn, causes some level of blood to leak into the lungs.
Once this symptom is noticed, you should do nothing but hurry to see your doctor.
- Swollen legs, ankles and feet
Another major warning sign of a heart attack is the bloatingof the legs, feet or ankle.
This is generally caused by your heart’s inability to pump blood effectively.
When this happens, kidneys will find it difficult to remove unneeded water and sodium from your body.
- Profuse sweating
If you start sweating basically for no reason, it could be a really alarming sign of an impending Heart attack.
When this happens, be sure to consult a medical practitioner, and ensure not to drive yourself.
- Irregular heartbeat
In almost every case, irregular heartbeats are caused by too much intake of caffeine or lack of proper sleep.
However, in rare cases, an irregular heartbeat may be a sign of atrial fibrillation. This condition demands that you visit a doctor for proper treatment.
Bottom – Line
The dangers of a heart attack cannot be underestimated, especially for persons who are 60 years or more, diabetic, or obese.
Prevention, they say is better than cure, and this explains why I have provided a list of some early signs to watch out for in curbing a possible heart attack.