What Are The First Few Symptoms Of A Heart Attack?

Heart attacks occur when there is a restriction or blockage of blood flow to the heart (ref. link). This blockage of blood flow can usually be traced back to the accumulation of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in the coronary arteries. These fatty and cholesterol-consisting deposits are medically termed “Plaques.” The continuous process of plaque accumulation is known as Atherosclerosis.

Plaques are prone to undergo eventual rupturing or clotting of blood that hinders your blood flow and circulation. The presence of plaque causes the heart to be Deprived (ref. link) of a steady bloodstream, which can injure or destroy a part of your heart muscle (ref. link). 

Two Primary Types of Heart Attacks

People should be aware of two primary types of heart attacks.

• Type I

In a type 1 heart attack (ref. link), the inner wall plaque ruptures and releases heavy amounts of cholesterol and other toxic substances into the bloodstream. This overload of fats and cholesterol can form a blood clot that can block an artery. This type of heart attack is called a STEMI, the signs of which are given below:

• Nausea
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Dizziness
• Breaking out in a cold sweat at random
  
• Type II

Heart attacks resulting from an inadequate supply of oxygen in the blood fall under this category. A complete blockage of arteries may not occur in this type of heart attack.

Top Symptoms of Heart Attack

In some cases, going into sudden cardiac arrest is the first sign of a heart attack. Although some heart attacks occur with no warning signs, experts state that the majority of people report (ref. link) initial signs hours, days, and even weeks in advance. Here are some early signs of a heart attack (ref. link).

• Pain in the Chest
  Several people who’ve experienced heart attacks report (ref. link) uneasiness and pain in the center or left portion of the chest. It is estimated to last for several minutes or may be recurrent. This discomfort may be described as an uncomfortable build-up of pressure, a squeezing sensation, or an overwhelming fullness in your chest.
  
• Weakness
  You may break into a cold sweat without any physical exertion. You may feel frequent light-headedness where you lose your balance or grip. You could even black out and faint on the spot.
• Discomfort
  You may experience sharp pain in body parts such as the jaw, neck, or back. Also, you are likely to experience discomfort in your arms or shoulders.
• Out of Breath
  Another common symptom of a heart attack is shortness of breath. This symptom is sometimes accompanied by discomfort in the chest.

Sex-Specific Symptoms

Some heart attack symptoms can be more common among women than men, and vice-versa. For instance, Women may experience atypical symptoms involving abrupt bursts of prickly pain in the neck, arm, or back area because they have smaller hearts and arteries. This explanation is used loosely to justify why women may show symptoms diverging from men, but it is not a one-size-fits-all approach.

In women, chest pain is the most common heart attack symptom. These are the symptoms women tend to experience more than men do.

• Breathlessness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• The back and the jaw as the primary pain areas
• Dizziness
• Severe levels of fatigue

High levels of the hormone estrogen are present in women. This chemical reduces the risk of a heart attack. Therefore, women are at greater risk after they hit menopause.

Heart Attack Symptoms Specific to Diabetic People

Diabetic people are more prone to develop heart disease (ref. link). This is due to how diabetes is linked to blood pressure, which is linked to heart attacks. People with diabetes have other conditions that increase the risk of heart problems. High blood pressure is one of the most common medical conditions that people with diabetes experience. High blood pressure can increase the force of blood flow (ref. link) through your arteries, causing damage to the artery walls (ref. link).

Diabetic (ref. link) people are diagnosed with heart conditions earlier than those without diabetes. Adults diagnosed with diabetes face twice the risk (ref. link) of developing heart disease as compared to adults without diabetes. Possible signs of a heart attack in a diabetic person:

• Chest pain
• Breathlessness
• Passing out or nearly fainting
• Agitating fluttering in the chest
• Unexplainable rapid heartbeats
• Slowed heart rate
• Dizziness
• Numb or weak legs
• Pain in the neck, back, jaw, upper abdomen, and throat
• Extreme Tiredness
• Vomiting

Heart Symptoms Specific to Children

Although rare, the prevalence of heart attacks in younger groups is certainly possible. Their risks are elevated if they have a history of acquired or congenital heart disease.

The unfortunate occurrence of a heart attack in children is known as Myocardial Infarction. The signs of a heart attack in children are as follows:

• Fatigue
• Absence of an appetite
• Paleness
• Dyspnea
• Tachypnea
• Tachycardia
• Hypotension
• Weakened pulse
• Irregular heart rhythm

Signs of a heart attack in newborn infants include feeding problems, disinterest in the surroundings, irritability, diarrhea, sweating, nausea, pale skin, tachypnea, and dyspnea.

What to Do Next?

Call an ambulance immediately if you or someone around you experiences these symptoms. The person must chew or swallow an aspirin, and intake nitroglycerin if it is prescribed. CPR should be performed if he/she is unconscious. If an automated external defibrillator is available and the person is unconscious, follow the instruction manual and use it. 

Bottom Line

The risk factors for heart attack differ for each person; some might have one or more risk factors than others. Several non-fatal medical conditions like diabetes can play an active role in developing heart attacks over time. Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person, but the degree of seriousness should never be downplayed. 

Being vigilant about your heart health is a good idea for everyone, irrespective of age. You can buy the Frontier X2 from our website and take charge of your heart health through continuous ECG monitoring. Take charge of your heart health by using the Frontier X2 heart monitoring device and it’s revolutionary continuous ECG feature.

Frequently Asked Questions on Symptoms of Heart Attack :

What are the pre-heart attack symptoms?

The common heart attack symptoms include chest pain that may feel like pressure, tightness, pain, squeezing, or aching.

What is the fastest way to check for a heart attack?

Using an Electrocardiogram can help in suspecting heart attacks and should be done within 10 minutes of being admitted to the hospital. 

What are the symptoms of a heart attack?

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Feeling weak 
• Fainting
• Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, or back.
• Pain or discomfort in one or both arms or shoulders.
• Shortness of breath.

Will a heart attack wake you up?

Yes, both panic attacks and heart attacks can wake you from sleep

Can a heart attack go away?

A heart attack may or may not go away depending on the intensity of it, you should consult a doctor if you face any heart attack symptoms.

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