Tip of the Week
How to Recognize the Signs of Heart Attack
Knowing the signs of a heart attack can save your life. Signs of a heart attack can be deceiving. You may feel as though you have indigestion or maybe even back pain.
Distinguishing the differences can save your life.
Signs of a heart attack vary according to gender. If you think you might be having a heart attack, stop whatever you are doing and have someone call 9-1-1. Every second is critical when treating a heart attack.
MEN
Severe Chest Pain
For men, the first sign of a heart attack is tightness in the chest that lasts several minutes. While everyone experiences minor chest pain every now and then, a
person having a heart attack will feel severe chest pressure. The pressure will sometimes shoot up from the chest to the shoulder area, arms and back.
Most ordinary chest pains pass when you relax. But during a heart attack, the pain doesn’t go away. Instead, it intensifies.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another common symptom and warning sign of a heart attack. While just sitting and being sedentary, a person may feel like they have just run up a flight of stairs.
This shortness may become so severe that you may feel like you might vomit. Some heart attack victims describe feeling like they have developed the worst flu of their life instantly.
Dizzy
Dizziness is caused by a lack of oxygen to the body, particularly the brain. A man having a heart attack may faint due to lack of oxygen.
Teeth and Jaw Pain
Experts have discovered that most men experiencing a heart attack will feel pain in their teeth and jaw. This pain typically rates a seven or above on a scale of 1 to 10.
Cold Sweats
Men having a heart attack may develop cold sweats which leave them feeling chilled and clammy.
Frequent Burps
Heart attacks often cause acid reflux. A man having a heart attack may respond by burping frequently.
Yawning
A man experiencing a heart attack may yawn frequently, because the heart is not moving enough blood through the body.
WOMEN
Heart attacks in women can be more difficult to diagnose. In fact, physicians may even miss initial signs of a heart attack. Therefore, it is important for you to know the differences between how a man and woman feels when experiencing a heart attack.
Chest Pressure
A woman having a heart attack will often feel chest pain, just like a man. However, the pain is often lower. It might make some women think they are having stomach pain rather than chest pain.
Shortness of BreathNearly six out of 10 women who are having a heart attack feel they are short of breath. Resting may lessen the symptoms, in some cases, but not always.
Extreme Fatigue
She will often feel unusually tired, as though she cannot get enough sleep or rest. In fact, extreme fatigue can be an early warning sign for a heart attack. It may start several weeks in advance.
Back Pain
Women often experience severe back pain during a heart attack. Men seldom complain about back pain when having a heart attack.
Nausea
Many women having a heart attack will experience nausea and will often vomit. Doctors do not fully understand why this symptom occurs.
Knowing the signs of a heart attack can save a life. Seconds really do count, so seek emergency care immediately. Call 9-1-1 if in doubt. If treatment is not sought quickly, a heart attack may be fatal.
