Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for men and women worldwide. Contrary to what you can see in the movies, it is difficult to ignore the symptoms of a heart attack. “Two-thirds of women will have symptoms of a non-Hollywood heart attack,” says K. K., MD, director of the Barbra Streisand Women’s Heart Center at Cedars-Sinai Heart Institute in Los Angeles. Noelle Bairy Merz said.
Chest tightness and pain in the upper body are more obvious, but heart attack has many symptoms that can be confused with other diseases (nausea, heartburn, fatigue, etc.). Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack and getting immediate help can be the difference between life and death. Here are the most common symptoms to watch out for.
UNCOMFORTABLE PRESSURE.
According to the American Heart Association, the first symptom of a heart attack is “uncomfortable pressure, tightness, fullness, or pain in the center of the chest.” This discomfort can appear in waves that last for more than a few minutes at a time.
PAIN IN OTHER PARTS OF THE BODY.
Heart attack pain occurs in places other than the chest, such as the back, shoulders, arms, neck, or jaw. According to the Cleveland Clinic, when there’s a problem with the heart, such as a blocked artery, it can trigger nerves in your heart that tell you something’s wrong and cause you to feel pain. The vagus nerve is connected not only to the heart, but also to the brain, chest, abdomen, and neck, so it can sense pain signals in other parts of the body besides the heart region.
USE YOUR HEAD.
Many things can make you dizzy: not drinking enough water, skipping lunch, getting up early. But dizziness, lightheadedness, chest pain, and shortness of breath can lead to low blood volume, low blood pressure, and heart attack.
Fatigue.
It’s normal to feel tired after a sleepless night or a stressful day. However, women are more likely to feel fatigued a month before a heart attack, according to Harvard Medical School. According to the National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute, this symptom is especially common in women.
NAUSEA OR DISCOMFORT.
According to Stoney Brook Medicine, stomach symptoms such as abdominal pain, vomiting, and cramping occur when there is not enough blood supply to the heart or other parts of the body. It can be misdiagnosed as acid reflux or heartburn, so it’s important to see a doctor if you experience other heart attack symptoms.
SWEAT.
If you are premenopausal or have just started exercising, cold sweats or profuse sweating may indicate a heart attack. During a heart attack, your nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response, which puts you in survival mode and causes you to sweat.
HEART ENLARGEMENT.
When the blood supply to the heart is inadequate, various things can happen in the body. According to Stoney Brook Medicine, the heart becomes irritable and palpitations due to a lack of nutrient-rich blood. If you feel like you’re having heart palpitations, see your doctor right away.
BREATH.
If climbing stairs used to be a breeze, but climbing has become more difficult lately, seek immediate medical attention. While this doesn’t mean you’re going to have a heart attack right now, it could be a sign that your heart is in danger. According to the AHA, shortness of breath can occur with or without chest pain.
