Not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest
pain that often is shown on TV or in the movies.
In one study, for example,
one-third of the patients who had heart attacks had no chest pain. These patients
were more likely to be older, female, or diabetic.
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to
person. Some people can have few symptoms and are surprised to learn they've
had a heart attack. If you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not
be the same for another one. It is important for you to know the most common
symptoms of a heart attack and also remember these facts:
1.Heart attacks can start slowly and cause only mild pain or
discomfort. Symptoms can be mild or more intense and sudden. Symptoms also may
come and go over several hours.
2.People who have high blood sugar (diabetes) may have no
symptoms or very mild ones.
3.The most common symptom, in both men and women, is chest
pain or discomfort.
4.Women are somewhat more likely to have shortness of
breath, nausea and vomiting, usual tiredness (sometimes for days), and pain in
the back, shoulders, and jaw.
Some people don't have symptoms at all. Heart attacks that
occur without any symptoms or with very mild symptoms are called silent heart
attacks.
The most common warning symptoms of a heart attack for both
men and women are:
Chest pain or
discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left
side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or
goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or
pain. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild
or severe.
Upper body
discomfort. You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back,
shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).
Shortness of breath.
This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain
or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of
physical activity.
The symptoms of angina (an-JI-nuh or AN-juh-nuh) can be
similar to the symptoms of a heart attack. Angina is chest pain that occurs in
people who have coronary heart disease, usually when they're active. Angina
pain usually lasts for only a few minutes and goes away with rest.
Chest pain or discomfort that doesn't go away or changes
from its usual pattern (for example, occurs more often or while you're resting)
can be a sign of a heart attack.
All chest pain should be checked by a doctor.
Pay attention to these other possible symptoms of a heart
attack:
1.Breaking out in a cold sweat
2.Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days
(especially if you are a woman)
3.Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and vomiting
4.Light-headedness or sudden dizziness
5.Any sudden, new symptoms or a change in the pattern of
symptoms you already have (for example, if your symptoms become stronger or
last longer than usual)
Not everyone having a heart attack has typical symptoms. If
you've already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for
another one. However, some people may have a pattern of symptoms that recur.
The more signs and symptoms you have, the more likely it is
that you're having a heart attack.
Source:www.nhlbi.nih.gov
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