5 Warning Signs Of A Heart Attack

Recognizing these 5 warning signs of a heart attack can save your life and improve your survival rate when facing a cardiac emergency. Often times, heart attacks are not treated during the earliest stages because the symptoms are not recognized as being those of a heart attack. While many individuals suffering a major heart attack do experience crushing chest pain, there are other signs and symptoms that go unnoticed or are simply ignored in the early stages when they are most treatable. Early recognition and treatment is the key to a favorable outcome when you are suffering a heart attack. These five symptoms shouldn't be ignored and should be evaluated by a medical professional immediately.

1. Pain or discomfort that originates in your chest or upper abdomen and radiates down your left or right arm. If you are experiencing pain that originates in your chest and radiates outward and down either your right or left arm, you should be evaluated by a medical professional. A simple test to help you rule out whether or not this is cardiac-related is to determine if the pain is made better or worse with movement. Does the pain go away when you raise your arm or cross your arms over your chest? If so, it's quite possible that the pain is muscle or nerve-related and not cardiac in nature. If the pain doesn't go away or is accompanied by other symptoms on this list, it may be a warning sign of a heart attack.
2. If you suddenly become nauseous, experience weakness,or begin sweating profusely without an obvious cause, you should call 911 without delay. If you experience this potential warning sign of a heart attack, do not waste time trying to evaluate it yourself. When a heart attack strikes, time is of the essence, so seek treatment for this warning sign decisively.
3. A sudden onset of shortness of breath is another warning sign of a heart attack that should not be ignored. If you suddenly notice that you are having difficultly breathing that is not caused by exertion, this can be a sign that you are having a heart attack. This symptom may strike while you are sitting quietly or sleeping. This symptom will not improve by a change in body position.
4. Temporary loss of consciousness preceded by a sudden arrhythmia is a definite warning sign of a heart attack. Anytime you experience an arrhythmia that causes you to faint, even if you feel better afterwards, you should be immediately evaluated by a medical professional. This may be your only warning sign that you need immediate help. Don't brush this symptom aside thinking it's something else.
5. Pressure, pain or discomfort that radiates into your neck and lower jaw can be a warning sign of a heart attack. This warning sign is often ignored or brushed aside and it may be an indicator that you are having a heart attack.

Warnings:

• It is especially important not to ignore these five warning signs of a heart attack if you are a middle-aged man. Middle-aged men are especially prone to  minimize these symptoms.

Resources:

Harvard Medical School