What are the symptoms of a heart attack; Learn the symptoms and signs before you have one, and learn a few facts and thoughts about heart disease.
For the heart to remain in good health, it requires oxygen and nutrients carried by the blood. A heart attack is a sudden life threatening malfunction of the heart muscle. A heart attack occurs when one or more of the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscles becomes blocked. Part of the heart then dies from the lack of oxygen.
A temporary lack of oxygen in the heart muscle causes a feeling of suffocation and chest pain called angina pectoris. Angina is a symptom rather than a disease. Attacks of angina usually occur during periods of heavy physical or emotional stress. They generally last only as long as the stress continues. People who suffer from angina may never have a heart attack, but angina does indicate that there is some blockage in the coronary arteries. The site of the blockage determines how serious the attack will be. If the blockage is in a major artery, a large section of the heart may be damaged, causing immediate death. If the blockage is in a smaller artery, the heart can often continue to beat and the chances of recovery are good.
Never try to self-diagnosis a heart disorder. If the warning signs are present, seek medical attention immediately. If you get a checkup and nothing is wrong then you will have peace of mind.
If treatment is necessary then your being prompt may save your life. Below are a few symptoms that may mean you are having a heart attack:
Abnormal shortness of breath. If you have just exercised and have shortness of breath this is normal, but if for no apparent reason you have shortness of breath and night sweats after awakening from sleep it could be a problem.
Pain in the chest. The pain may be in the center of the chest, or over the heart and is usually a tight or sharp feeling that will pass in a minute or two. This can be caused by overeating but if it involves the heart it means not enough blood is getting to the heart.
Unusual fatigue. Certainly a lot of factors will contribute to fatigue, but if you tire very easily from your work or play and this is a new
symptom, it could mean your heart is not as efficient as it was.
Swelling of the ankles. Sure you have swelling of the ankles from lots of causes, but if suddenly your ankles swell, it can mean your heart is not beating as it should.
Dizziness and fainting spells. If you jump up suddenly from sitting in a chair and feel dizzy or faint it means the blood is drained away from your brain, if this occurs frequently it could be a warning sign. You might even have fluttering or palpitations of the heart but this rarely indicates a heart problem.
The most common heart diseases are due to diseases of the coronary arteries which supply the heart muscles with blood. A thickening of the coronary arteries is called coronary arteriosclerosis. This can be due partly to aging, but more so is caused by fatty deposits that harden into patches along the inner lining of the artery. Scar tissue forms around these patches narrowing the artery so that the heart muscle doesn't get enough blood. This causes the severe pain called angina pectoris. Many persons can live normal lives under such conditions with proper precautions. There is a much more serious condition that can occur when a clot forms in the coronary vessel and shuts off the supply of blood (coronary thrombosis or occlusion). In such a condition the blood supply is cut off from some part of the heart which tends to degenerate and form scar tissue. The small nearby coronary arteries form a collateral or substitute system which grows over to the affected region and supplies it with blood. Rest and treatment are required for recovery which sometimes is complete.
Symptoms of coronary thrombosis are sudden shortness of breath, sweating, severe pains under the breastbone often prolonged, and sometimes loss of consciousness.
If you feel you have any of the above symptoms do not hesitate to contact your doctor for testing.
