Common warning signs of a forthcoming heart attack
Some times heart attacks are sudden and intense where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Most of the times, the condition develops over a period of time and one can read the warning signs and take necessary precautions if the signs are noticed in time. Though one can’t read the warning signs and take precautions to prevent a heart attack all the times or when a heart attack is sudden. Following signs can be taken as warning and prove helpful in an emergency –
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| Common warning signs of a forthcoming heart attack |
Chest Pain, Pressure, & Discomfort
Though chest pains does not occur in every heart attack, but chest pain, tightness in chest is the most common and the most recognizable warning sign of a heart attack. This feeling of discomfort or heaviness in the chest could also be more of a burning sensation. Sufferers described this sensation as they are feeling an unbearable pressure on their chest. Chest tightness is a common sign of a heart attack and if you experience chest pains or tightness, go to the nearest doctor without any further delay.
Unusual Sweating, day and night
Whilst sweating is a normal process of a human body and inevitable in the hot season or while some one is exercising or doing some hard work but Sweating more than usual especially while you aren’t exercising or being active could be an early warning sign of heart problems., excessive sweating even in cool conditions is unusual and the doctor must be consulted immediately. If you experience cold sweat or clammy skin or Night sweats, these are common symptom(Specially in case of women) of a coming heart attack, please be alert.
Numbness in Arms
If you feel that your arms are not working normal or feel numb or seem to be drifting to the sides, it may be a warning of coming heart problem. Please do not take it easy and consult your doctor immediately because consequences may be serious if neglected.
Unresponsiveness of some parts of the body
If certain parts of your body like shoulders, arms or back of the neck become numb or begin to stop responding, do not ignore the circumstance consult your doctor immediately because the cause may be related to your heart.
Slurring while Speaking
Difficulty in speaking could be a graver situation and warning sign of a forth coming heart attack. Though it is common in people in an intoxicated condition. But if it occurs in normal conditions you really need to be alert.
Fatigue & Shortness of Breath
Exhaustion and shortness of breath are the ways your body indicates that it needs rest, but it may also be a warning sign of forth coming heart trouble as a response to the extra stress on your heart. If your breathing gets heavy and the breath falls short quickly even after a short walk, climbing a few ladders or other form of movement or exercise involving a negligible labour, it is a serious alert for you. Even if this condition is not accompanied with chest discomfort, it should be taken as a warning sign. If you often feel tired or exhausted for no reason, it could be a sign that something is wrong. Fatigue and shortness of breath are more common in women and may begin months before a heart attack actually occurs.
Indigestion, Nausea, & Vomiting
Often people begin experiencing mild indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems before a heart attack. Regularly feeling nauseous of dizzy should be taken as a result of simply indigestion or other stomach disorders but it may be a warning sign of the coming heart attack. Do not treat is callously as a sign of tiredness. This could happen due to the blocked artery. It could also display itself via excessive stress, fatigue after short spans of movement or exercise, or a feeling of weakness despite eating and sleeping well. Because the chances of heart attacks are more in elderly people who typically have more indigestive disorders, these symptoms often get dismissed as heartburn or another food-related complication which is a fatal practice.
Pains in other parts of the body
Most people associate a heart attack with pain working its way down the left arm, that is true but pain and tightness can also radiate in other parts of the body too. Other parts include upper abdomen, shoulder, back, throat, teeth or jaw. If you doubt you are having a heart attack, immediately consult a doctor.