Heart attacks, known in the medical profession as myocardial infarction, and heart disease are the number one cause of death in the United States, so it’s essential to do all you can to keep your heart healthy and strong. If you are having a heart attack, swift treatment by medical professionals is essential, and you can also take immediate steps yourself, so it’s vital to recognize these early warning signs of a heart attack:
A Spreading Pressure and Pain
The most obvious sign of the onset of a heart attack is a tightening sensation, accompanied by pain, that typically starts in the center and left of the chest. As this could also be symptomatic of other problems, look for a pain that seems to travel into your arms, most commonly the left arm, and then affects the back, neck, jaw and face.
Feeling Faint or Dizzy
A heart attack interrupts the normal supply of oxygen carrying blood around the body, and this can lead to the sufferer feeling dizzy, disoriented or faint. This may also be accompanied by an outbreak of a cold sweat.
Fatigue and Nausea
Another notable warning sign of a heart attack is that the sufferer will feel suddenly and extremely fatigued, so that any movement can leave them gasping for breath or coughing. There may also be nausea and vomiting.
Extreme Anxiety
Those having heart attacks may suffer extreme anxiety that feels similar to a panic attack. They often report having an overwhelming sense of impending doom, so if you are with someone suffering a heart attack it’s important to calm them down and reassure them as much as possible.
What to Do in the Event of a Heart Attack
If you are with someone and they are experiencing a heart attack, or are exhibiting any of the symptoms above, it’s essential that you call 911 for immediate medical help. If you are not allergic to aspirin then it is beneficial to slowly chew one aspirin tablet while you wait for the ambulance to arrive; this thins the blood, making it easier for the attacked heart to circulate. It’s also important that the sufferer rests as much as possible and keeps any exertion to a minimum.
What Else Could Chest Pain Be?
If you have chest pain alone, then it could result from a number of other causes, from indigestion to angina. If you suffer frequently from pains in the chest or elsewhere, it can be very debilitating, so you should seek medical advice from specialist pain medicine physicians like Rishin Patel Insight. They’ll be able to provide an accurate diagnosis and help you manage your pain.
Never ignore the early warning signs of a heart attack, for the sooner medical professionals reach you, the greater your chance of making a full recovery. Prevention is also important, and having an active lifestyle, exercising regularly, avoiding stress where possible, and enjoying a healthy, balanced diet can all help in the fight against heart disease and heart attacks. Most importantly, if you think you’re having a heart attack, don’t panic: dial 911 immediately, remain calm, and chew on an aspirin if one is available and you don’t have an allergy to them.
6 comments
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This is a very problematic issue that is often hushed up. Thank you for raising it up. People need to know more about healthcare.
Nice post. Thanks for sharing.
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