Myocardial infarction, known mostly by the name “heart attack”, affects millions of people every year worldwide, according to the web site WebMD.
Thanks to all the knowledge accumulated over the years and numerous studies, a high percentage of those who suffer a heart attack survive, according to American Heart Association website.
But there is still a long way to go in terms of education and creating awareness about this scary experience – to become better at identifying the risk.
And it’s good to know that half of those who have had a heart attack experienced early signs during the days or month before the attack — and they didn’t even know it.
1. Fatigue
We’re all tired sometimes, and this is perfectly normal. But if you are so tired that ordinary things like shopping suddenly feel like torture, then you might want to check it out.
In addition, if you find yourself running out of breath suddenly, you must go see a doctor and make an EKG test. if you are in a stressful situation and your heart doesn’t feel well, you may be suffering from a heart attack.
2. Pressure building up in the chest
One of the most common warning signs of heart attack is strong pressure in the chest.
Chest pain can be felt in other areas of the body, sometimes the pain radiates nearby (typically the left armpit, or left arm), but you can feel the pressure even in the throat, neck, jaw, back or stomach. The pain usually lasts about 15 minutes.
3. Acute respiratory distress
Before a heart attack, people may experience shortness of breath. This happens because the lungs don’t receive enough blood due to clogged blood vessels.
If you suddenly have difficulty breathing, you should consult a doctor immediately.
4. Exhaustion
If you feel weakness, or exhaustion frequently, it might be because your muscles don’t receive enough blood. The phenomenon of exhaustion is usually one of the first warning signs of a heart attack that might be coming.
5. Dizziness and cold sweats
Excessive sweating can be a sign of a first heart attack. If you experience these symptoms, you should see a doctor.
The dizziness can happen due to reduced blood supply to the brain.
6. Cold/flu
Do you have a bad cough, cold or heat? Do not panic, these are not symptoms of an immediate danger.
But what many don’t know is that symptoms of cold can occur one month before a heart attack. It is worth to think about – especially if you’ve experienced the other symptoms listed above.
It is important to remember that heart attack symptoms can differ between one person to another, and especially between men and women, so it’s always best to consult with your doctor for an expert opinion.
But you should always keep in mind these points. We hope that in the future these tips can help to save more lives.