If you're reading this article, it's likely because you've recently been diagnosed with heart disease or have a family history of heart disease. You are also probably wondering what to do if you experience symptoms of an impending heart attack. It's important that you know the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so that if one occurs, you can seek timely medical attention. A diagnosis of heart disease can be frightening; however, there are ways to reduce your risk factors and manage this condition successfully through treatment and prevention strategies if necessary. The signs and symptoms of a heart attack often mimic other medical conditions. Heart attack symptoms can be mistaken for other medical conditions.
Common Misdiagnoses of Heart Attack Symptoms
For example, the chest pain associated with a heart attack may be mistakenly identified as indigestion, heartburn, or a pulled muscle. The rapid pulse and shortness of breath that occur during an attack might be mistaken for panic attacks or anxiety. Heart attack symptoms can also mimic those of colds and flu: sore throat; fever; fatigue; body aches; chills (shivering); nausea or vomiting (feeling sick to your stomach). Heartburn, acid reflux, and gas are three more common reasons people seek emergency care when they're actually having heart attacks--and these symptoms can all mimic one another as well! Finally, there are several other medical conditions that have similar presentations as heart attacks including asthma/allergies/bronchitis - which is why it's so important to get checked out if you think something could be wrong with your heart!
Chest pain or discomfort is the most common sign of a heart attack. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, and tightness in your chest. The pain may also radiate to other parts of your body including shoulders, arms, back, or neck. Shortness of breath is another common symptom; it may feel like you are having trouble breathing even when resting. You may experience nausea and vomiting as well. If you experience any of these symptoms--even if they're mild--call 911 immediately!
Sometimes people have unusual heart attack symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or shortness of breath. If you experience these symptoms after exertion or stress, call 911 immediately and get yourself to the hospital right away. If you experience any of the common heart attack symptoms (chest pain or pressure that feels like an elephant sitting on your chest; pain in your arms or back; sweating) and have a family history of heart disease then you should also call 911 immediately.
Family history is not the only risk factor for heart attacks--other risk factors include: diabetes; smoking; high blood pressure; high cholesterol levels (especially triglycerides). If you have any of these conditions be careful and talk to your doctor about your risk of having a heart attack. A family history of heart disease can also increase your risk for cardiovascular disease.
If you have a family history of heart disease, it's important to be aware of the risks and monitor yourself more closely. Your doctor may recommend additional testing like an electrocardiogram (EKG) or echocardiogram to catch any signs of trouble early.
Jaw pain is a common symptom of a heart attack. It can be caused by pressure on the nerves in your jaw, neck, arm, or leg. Jaw pain can also be caused by pressure on the nerves in your stomach or chest.
A heart attack is an emergency. If you think you might be having one, call 911 immediately and seek medical care as soon as possible. If you are unable to reach emergency medical services, drive yourself or call someone to drive you to the hospital.
What to Do If You Have a Heart Attack and Cannot Reach the Hospital
If you're having a heart attack and can't get to the hospital, call 911 immediately. Tell the dispatcher what is going on and be prepared to give an address and contact information. Stay on the line until EMS arrives at your location, even if they tell you they've found it or they think they know where it is already; this way, if something happens during transport (like getting off track), help will be able to locate you again quickly by following up with police officers who are also working with EMS teams in other areas nearby where someone might need medical attention immediately too!
If you think you are having a heart attack, don't drive yourself to the ER. Call 911 instead. You need to get to the hospital as quickly as possible, and EMS professionals can help you with this.
Tell EMS professionals what is going on and tell them about your pain as best you can (if it's bad enough for them to ask). They'll also help make sure that aspirin is given early in case there is evidence of clotting or bleeding in the heart muscle--one of three things that happens during an MI (myocardial infarction), which is what we call a heart attack when it occurs in adults under age 55 years old (the other two being coronary thrombosis and coronary vasospasm).
Aspirin is a drug that can help reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke, as well as other health conditions. It has many benefits, but it's important to know that aspirin isn't for everyone. If you think you're having a heart attack and want to take aspirin during the event, ask your doctor first or call 911 immediately so they can get you help right away.
Aspirin works by reducing inflammation in the body by blocking an enzyme called cyclooxygenase (COX). This enzyme produces prostaglandins--hormones that cause pain and swelling when there's damage or injury in your body. By blocking COX, aspirin reduces these symptoms while still allowing other functions like blood clotting and platelet aggregation (when red blood cells clump together) to continue normally without being affected negatively by COX inhibition
Communicating Effectively with EMS Professionals
- Tell the EMS professionals what is going on.
- Tell them about your symptoms, including:
- where it hurts and how bad it hurts (1-10)
- when did it start? How long have you been experiencing these symptoms?
- If possible, provide this information:
- medical history (past illnesses/surgeries)
- medications being taken at the time of onset (prescriptions or over-the-counter medications)
- In addition to providing information about yourself and your surroundings, be sure not to obstruct their work by placing items out of reach or getting in their way while they're trying to do their job!
Important Guidelines to Follow Before Receiving Heart Attack Treatment
- Do not eat or drink anything.
- Do not use the bathroom.
- Don't take any medications, including over-the-counter drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen (Advil).
- Don't smoke, even if you've smoked for years without any problems--smoking can increase your chances of having another heart attack in the future by 50%. If you're worried about nicotine withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety or insomnia after quitting cold turkey, talk with your doctor about options such as patches or gum that may help alleviate these symptoms while still allowing you to stop smoking completely.
- Don't use a cell phone while at the hospital; they're often not allowed because they interfere with medical equipment used there.
- While waiting for treatment, sit down in a chair instead of lying down on one side.
- If possible, use pillows under your knees and behind your back so that all parts of your body are supported.
- Keep warm by wearing layers of clothing rather than just one thick layer; it's also helpful if someone else can stay with you so both parties stay warm together!
The Importance of Taking Time to Recover After a Heart Attack
After a heart attack, it's important not to rush back into work or exercise too soon. It can be tempting to try to do everything at once and get back on your feet as quickly as possible. But this isn't good for your body or mind--and it won't help you recover from the shock of having been through such an ordeal in the first place.
So take some time off from work, rest up, and allow yourself some space to heal physically, emotionally, and mentally before returning to normal life activities like working out at the gym or doing yardwork around your house (or whatever else). Don't feel guilty about taking time away from these things; they're important parts of life but they aren't worth risking another heart attack just so you can do them now!
Recognizing and Responding to Heart Attack Symptoms
- Be aware of the symptoms. A heart attack is often described as "the silent killer" because it can happen without warning and cause death within minutes if not treated immediately. The most common signs include chest pain or discomfort, shortness of breath, nausea or vomiting, and pain in one arm or both arms with one side more affected than the other (this is called an "ischemic stroke").
- Know what to do when you think you are having a heart attack: stay calm; don't drive yourself to the hospital or have someone else drive you there; remain still until medical help arrives; get any prescribed medications from home that may help relieve some symptoms -- such as nitroglycerin tablets for chest pain -- and bring them with you so they're handy when needed.
Conclusion
We hope that you now have a better understanding of how to identify and respond to a heart attack. Heart disease is a serious condition that can lead to death if not treated quickly, but there are steps you can take today to reduce your risk of getting one.
