You are at risk of a heart attack when the blood flow to the heart is disturbed or obstructed. People over 40 are highly at risk of a heart attack, especially if they have a family history of cardiovascular diseases and early heart attacks. The biggest fear of such victims is what if it happens while driving a car or during office hours. A heart attack does not come with an appointment. However, there may be some early signs of a malfunctioning heart or an upcoming cardiac attest. Even if you are not forty, there are many instances of younger people collapsing in a heart attack. So, it is better to understand the signs your body is showing and take prior action to prevent heart attacks.
The ultimate cause of a heart attack is the blockages in the coronary arteries through which the oxygen-rich blood flows to the heart. The arteries can be blocked because of a fat or cholesterol build-up inside the coronary arteries. This build-up or plaque narrows the artery, causing less blood to flow to the heart to supply oxygen. The obstruction can cause a severe heart attack. Thus, keeping your fat and cholesterol in check is extremely important. Also, taking heart attack symptoms seriously is necessary to tackle the impending situation easily.
Early Signs of a Heart Attack
Your body is smart enough to signal an upcoming health issue. Even for a heart attack, your body shows early signs to prepare you for the approaching crisis. Here are some of the most common early signs of a heart attack-
1. Sudden and Prolonged Discomfort in the Chest and Back
Often people complain about sudden discomfort in the chest and back area. Sometimes, this uneasiness refuses to go even after resting. This is one of the most common signs of a heart attack, where you feel pressure in the chest, inability to breathe easily, and pain. It can start anywhere from the middle of your chest and spread to the back portion. This could be a primary sign of a clocked artery or a malfunctioning heart. Never ignore if you feel something like this, and immediately consult a doctor. Often an early treatment can save you from more severe consequences and even death.
2. Chest Pain that Reaches the Arms
Sometimes a pain that begins in the chest area can spread to the arms. This is a common early sign of a heart attack. There are instances where patients complained of chest pain which soon transferred to the arms, and were diagnosed with a blocked artery. This sign can be confused with anything like muscle pain. This type of symptom is deadly as people start taking it lightly. Sometimes, pain starts in the arms and leads to a heart attack. Although there is no need to overthink, if you go for regular heart check-ups, there won’t be any worries.
3. Dizziness and Nausea
Dizziness and nausea are also early signs of an impending heart attack. You may feel a sudden rush of blood in your head as you stand up. It can also be vertigo that doesn’t let you stand properly, or you can also pass out. These signs tell you to visit a doctor and undergo a heart examination to see if everything is right. These symptoms can imply your blood pressure has lowered as your heart isn’t able to pump as much blood as it should. Some people even feel nauseous along with light-headedness as one of the early warning signs of heart attack.
4. Unusual Snoring
Snoring is very common in some people while they sleep. However, when snoring is extremely loud and produces sounds of choking or gasping, it can point to a major problem. It may be because you have sleep apnea. Sleep Apnea is when there are short gaps in breathing during sleeping time. This is a serious issue as it puts the heart under severe stress. The doctor conducts a sleep study on you to check whether you are suffering from sleep apnea. People with this problem are sometimes given a CPAP device to regulate their breathing during sleep.
5. Feeling Fatigued
Easy exhaustion is very common among the many signs of a heart attack. There is nothing unnatural about feeling fatigued after heavy work or exercise. Still, when you get exhausted easily, even while doing light activities, it might be one of the pre-heart attack symptoms in female and male. These symptoms are very common in women, especially after thirty and when they are menstruating. Therefore, it is easy for them to overlook the signs and land in danger. It is better to consult a doctor when the condition continues and the reason for the tiredness is unexplained.
Early signs of a heart attacked can often be misunderstood to be a normal health issue. Thus, keeping your body and heart checked within regular intervals is necessary.