Based on data from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), approximately 735,000 Americans experience a heart attack each year, and 525,000 of them are experiencing it for the first time. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in both men and women, but recognizing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack early can prevent death and the resulting physical disability. About 47% of sudden cardiac arrests occur outside the hospital. This indicates that many people ignore the early signs of danger conveyed by their bodies. Being able to recognize the symptoms of a heart attack, and immediately call the emergency room number can prevent more serious heart problems and save your life.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Recognizing the Classic Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Step 1. Watch for chest pain or tenderness
Based on a survey conducted by the CDC, 92% of people know that chest pain is a symptom of a heart attack, but only 27% of people understand all the symptoms and know when to call the emergency room number. While chest pain is a common and classic symptom, you may initially think you are experiencing epigastric pain or a burning sensation in your chest.
- Chest pain from a heart attack feels like someone is pressing hard against your chest, or like something heavy is on it. This pain also can not be overcome with the use of antacids.
- However, in a study conducted by the Journal of the American Medical Association, scientists found that 31% of men and 42% of women had never experienced chest pain commonly caused by a heart attack. Patients with diabetes are also at a lower risk of showing the classic symptoms of a heart attack.
Step 2. Watch for upper body pain
Pain from a heart attack can extend to the upper shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, or jaw. In fact, you may not even feel any chest pain at all. Toothache or chronic upper back pain can be early signs of a heart attack.
Step 3. Watch for mild symptoms at first
Most heart attacks begin with mild symptoms as described below. However, don't try to hold it in. Call the emergency room number immediately if these symptoms do not subside within 5 minutes.
Step 4. Assess whether the pain is due to angina, if the patient who may be having a heart attack has a history of the disease
Can angina subside quickly after taking medication? Some people with coronary heart disease experience angina, or chest pain when tired. This occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough oxygen to support its activities. People with angina may have medications that can open the arteries of the heart and relieve pain. If the angina doesn't subside quickly after resting or taking medication, this may signal a heart attack.
Step 5. Watch for stomach pain, nausea, or vomiting
Pain from a heart attack can be felt in the stomach. You may feel like a burning sensation in your chest that doesn't go away after taking antacids. You may also experience nausea and vomiting, without chest pain or stomach flu symptoms.
Step 6. Call the emergency number if you suspect you are having a heart attack
Don't try to do anything else first. Do not delay seeking medical help. The best chance of recovery without serious heart muscle damage is achieved by getting medical attention within 1 hour of the symptoms of a heart attack.
Do not start aspirin therapy on your own. Medical workers, nurses, and emergency room doctors will determine whether aspirin is right for you
Method 2 of 4: Watching for Atypical Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Step 1. Watch for atypical symptoms in female patients
Women experience atypical symptoms or unusual signs of a heart attack more often than men. Some of them are:
- Suddenly feeling sluggish
- Body pain
- Feeling unwell, or like having the flu
- Sleep disturbance
Step 2. Watch out for gasping for no apparent reason
Shortness of breath is a symptom of a heart attack that may appear before chest pain. You feel like you can't get enough oxygen into your lungs, or feel like you've just finished a race.
Step 3. Watch for anxiety, sweating, and giddiness
Symptoms of a heart attack also include feelings of anxiety for no apparent reason. You may also feel dizzy or have cold sweats without chest pain or other symptoms.
Step 4. Watch for a very pounding heart
Is your heart pounding? If your heart is pounding, or it's beating very fast, or you feel palpitations, or changes in heart rhythm, these are also atypical or unusual symptoms of a heart attack.
Method 3 of 4: Measuring Heart Attack Risk Factors
Step 1. Understand that there are various risk factors for a heart attack
There are factors that can be changed with a change in lifestyle, and there are factors that cannot be changed. Once you know what actions can reduce or increase your risk of a heart attack, you can make better choices.
Step 2. Understand the irreversible risk factors for heart attack
This factor is irreversible and should be taken into account when measuring your general risk of heart attack. Non-modifiable risk factors include:
- Age: men over 45 years of age, and women over 55 years of age are more at risk for a heart attack.
- Family history: if a close relative had a heart attack at a young age, your risk is also higher.
- History of autoimmune diseases: if you have a history of autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you are at a higher risk of heart attack.
- Preeclampsia: a condition during pregnancy.
Step 3. Understand the heart attack risk factors you can change
These risk factors can be reduced by lifestyle changes, for example by stopping negative behaviors or by starting positive habits. These risk factors include:
- Smoking: smoking is the single risk factor for sudden cardiac death in patients with coronary heart disease. Smoking also increases the risk of coronary heart disease.
- High blood pressure.
- Low physical activity.
- Diabetes
- Obesity.
- High cholesterol.
- Stress and drug use.
Step 4. Reduce the risk of heart attack
Physical activity every day. Try taking a leisurely 15-minute walk after lunch and dinner. Follow a healthy diet low in salt, trans fat, and carbohydrates, but high in unsaturated fat and protein.
- Quit smoking.
- You should follow your doctor's advice regarding care and treatment if you are at risk for a heart attack, or are recovering from one.
Method 4 of 4: Understanding Medical Treatment for Heart Attack
Step 1. Seek immediate medical attention in the emergency department
A heart attack is a life-threatening condition, but it can also respond well to prompt treatment. If you or a friend comes to the emergency department for a heart attack, medical help can be provided quickly.
Step 2. Get an EKG
An electrocardiogram is an examination performed to measure the electrical activity of the heart. The results will show the extent of damage to the heart muscle or confirm that you are having a heart attack. The injured heart muscle will not conduct electricity through electrodes that are attached to the chest, and are recorded on paper for a doctor to evaluate.
Step 3. Get a blood test
Injury to the heart muscle from a heart attack causes the release of special chemicals into the bloodstream. Troponin is a chemical compound that will remain in the blood for 2 weeks. This compound can be used as a parameter to examine the presence of a previously undiagnosed heart attack.
Step 4. Prepare to undergo examination with a cardiac catheter
Your doctor may order a cardiac catheterization test. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into a blood vessel to enter the heart. A heart catheter is often inserted through an artery in the groin, and is considered a relatively low-risk procedure. During cardiac catheterization, your doctor may:
- examine the heart with X-rays and contrast dye. That way, the doctor can see which arteries are narrowed or blocked.
- check the chamber pressure of the heart.
- take a blood sample that can be used to measure oxygen levels in the heart chambers.
- do a biopsy.
- check the ability of the heart to pump blood efficiently.
Step 5. Prepare for a cardiac stress test once the heart attack is resolved
A few weeks after having a heart attack, you may have a stress test to evaluate the response of your heart's blood vessels to exercise. You will walk on a treadmill and be fitted with electrodes on an EKG machine that will measure the electrical activity of the heart. This examination will help your doctor determine long-term treatment for your condition.
Tips
Inform your friends and family about the unusual symptoms of a heart attack to prevent a heart attack from going undiagnosed or untreated
Warning
- If you experience these or other symptoms that you don't recognize, don't wait or try to endure them. Immediately call the emergency number of the nearest hospital and seek medical attention. Early treatment will give better results.
- Don't move or do strenuous activities if you think you're having a heart attack. This will only cause more serious injury to the heart. Ask someone near you to call the emergency department.
