Sometimes your body can act weird. This is especially true as you age. Pains, even occasional bouts of fatigue come and go, and you might not worry about them because you think, “it’s just part of getting older.”. But there are some aches and pains you shouldn’t ignore. Tightness in your chest or shortness of breath may be signs of something more. It could be a heart attack. How do you know if you’re having a heart attack? Dr. Sanjay Kumar – the best Cardiologist in Faridabad explaining how to know if you are having an heart attack. Keep reading to learn more.
The Symptoms of Heart Attack
It’s easy to assume that pain in the chest is caused by gas or acid reflux. If your pain is new, happens frequently, or keeps you up at night, call the doctor immediately. Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- A feeling of pain, squeezing, tightness, or pressure in your arms (especially your left arm) or in your chest. This can sometimes spread to your back, jaw, or neck.
- Excess or shortness of breath
- Sudden sweating
- Fatigue or feeling easily exhausted
- Long-term cough
- Indigestion, heartburn, or nausea
- Lightheadedness
- Snoring
- A swollen ankle or foot
When you’re suffering from a heart attack, the pain you’re experiencing will not go away with rest and will worsen with physical activity or stress. Women may experience fewer symptoms than men during a heart attack. Some people have no symptoms, while others just feel “off” or with an impending sense of doom.
Who is at risk of a heart attack?
Heart attacks are more likely to occur if you:
- Affected by an autoimmune disease
- Older than 45 years for men, or 55 years for women
- Have a family history of heart disease
- Have high cholesterol
- Use or are exposed to tobacco regularly
- Have diabetes
- Have high blood pressure
- Are under a lot of stress
- Are obese
- Have metabolic syndrome
- Not active
- Have a history of pregnancy complications (e.g. preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, gestational diabetes)
- Had early menopause (before the age of 40)
Each person experiences a heart attack differently
Each person experiences a heart attack differently. It is possible to experience warning symptoms for weeks or even have a very sudden heart attack. Even the way the pain feels can vary. You may experience no pain at all, mild pain, or severe pain. Contrary to popular belief, many people experience symptoms of nearly complete loss of blood flow for days or even weeks before they suffer a heart attack. You are more likely to have a heart attack if you have more symptoms. You might have different symptoms and a different timeline of events for your heart attack than someone else.
Act Immediately
Get help right away if you think you’re having a heart attack. Don’t wait. It might save your life. Here’s what to do if you think you may be having a heart attack explained by best Cardiologist in Faridabad.
- Please call doctor. You should have someone drive you to the hospital if you can’t contact emergency services. Driving yourself is only an option when you have no other choice. If you get behind the wheel while having a heart attack, you could endanger yourself and others.
- Take an aspirin instead. Taking aspirin can help prevent blood clots from damaging your heart. It can, however, interact with certain medications. First, call doctor and ask if you should take aspirin. The operator can assist you.
A heart attack is a frightening experience. Knowing what symptoms to look for can help make it a little less frightening. Book an appointment with Dr. Sanjay Kumar -the best Cardiologist in Faridabad today to know more.