Know the Early Signs of Heart Attack & Take Steps to Prevent a Heart Attack

Pain and discomfort are the ways of the body indicating to you something’s wrong, so you can take care of yourself. Learn about early signs of a heart attack and preventive steps to stay away from it. 

A heart attack, also called myocardial infarction, is a medical emergency caused when blood flow to the heart is blocked. If blood flow is not restored quickly, it can cause permanent heart damage and death. Some heart attacks are sudden and intense, while many people have warning signs hours, days, or weeks in advance. 

Early Signs Of A Heart Attack You Should Be Aware Of:

Blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood flow can get narrowed due to buildup of cholesterol, fat, and other substances. When the blood vessel is narrowed down to more than seventy percent, an individual may begin to have warning symptoms ahead of time, particularly with physical exertion. 

Some of the common early warning signs of a heart attack are:

• Tightness or pressure in the chest
• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Cold sweats
• Discomforts in other body parts
• Unusual fatigue

Tightness or pressure in the chest: Most people experience some sort of symptoms in the chest. Rather than pain, pressure or tightness in the chest (center or left side of the chest) could be one of the early signs of a heart attack. The discomfort may come and go and is a sign that your heart tissues are not getting sufficient oxygen. 

Unusual fatigue: Decreased blood flow to the heart can deplete the energy levels in the body and cause usual tiredness that can set in weeks or months before a heart attack occurs. It is more common in women than men. You may feel exhausted by simply walking from one room to another room.

Cold sweats: Unlike normal sweats, they are not due to heavy exercise or high temperatures. They often occur when the body is being threatened and are also common to conditions that prevent blood from circulating throughout the body. Cold sweats could be one of the early signs of a heart attack.

Shortness of breath: Many heart problems can lead to shortness of breath. If the heart fails to pump sufficient blood, you may experience shortness of breath. 

Discomfort in other body parts: Pain in the neck, arm, jaw, or back could be the early warning signs of a heart attack.

Nausea: Some people may experience nausea and other gastrointestinal problems before a heart attack. Though these symptoms usually don’t relate to the heart, you need to know that it could also be a warning sign of a heart attack. If you experience nausea and other warning signs, you should consult your physician.

Who Should Be More Concerned About The Early Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack?

It's common to think that having nausea or back pain is not so serious. Most people ignore the mild symptoms naturally, and some people with high pain thresholds may not consider the symptoms as particularly worrisome.

Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, cholesterol, a history of smoking, unusual stress, or a family history of heart diseases, are major factors that account for  high risk for a heart attack. If you have any of these heart attack risk factors, you should be extra cautious with the warning signs mentioned in the previous section. The risk of heart attack greatly increases after the age of 45 for men and after the age of 50 for a woman.

Don’t be hesitant to go to the hospital if you experience these symptoms, even if you are healthy and young. The more signs and symptoms you experience, the larger the risk you are having. Women typically experience the symptoms prior to a heart attack.

How To Prevent Having A Heart Attack?

People under stress may follow unhealthy habits such as overeating, smoking, etc., to cope with stress. They are risk factors for heart disorders and heart attacks. Read to know about healthy ways to relieve mental stress.

People who live with even a moderate level of fitness are much less likely to die early than people with a low fitness level. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week. If you are very busy, start out slow, and even a few minutes of activity may offer some health benefits.

Obesity is becoming more common not only for adults but also for children. Instead of trying supplements and aggressive diets, aim for a healthy weight by good nutrition and physical activity. Learn more about obesity and its dangerous impact on your health.

More than half of the people above 65 years of age with diabetes die of some form of heart disorder. Manage diabetes and other existing health conditions such as cholesterol and high blood pressure to stay away from a heart attack. Take your medications regularly. 

Starting from head to toe, there is no part in our body that is not harmed by smoking. It may be hard to quit, but it is not as hard as recovering from a heart attack or chronic diseases. Though you don’t smoke, stay away from smokers to avoid getting trapped as passive smokers.

Alcohol consumed in larger amounts can raise blood pressure and the risk of developing disorders such as cancer, cardiomyopathy, and stroke. If you cannot avoid drinking alcohol, drink not more than the standard size. 

Like physical activity, a healthy diet is a key player in managing all controllable risk factors. Choose nutrient-rich foods but focus on controlling calorie intake. Include more plant-based foods in your diet. Read about heart-healthy foods that can lower your blood pressure. 

Defeat Heart Attack And Stay With Healthy Beat:

Look at which risk factor applies to you and take steps to reduce or eliminate it. Work with your health care provider if it is hard to manage on your own. Knowledge is your best defense. Knowing why your symptoms occur and what can be done for that will help you live a safe and sound life.