These 5 Warning Symptoms Can Signify a Silent Heart Attack

A heart attack happens due to a sudden and complete loss of blood supply from the heart. It is most commonly caused by blockages in one or several arteries due to plaque buildup. When your heart fails to receive sufficient blood, tissue damage may occur. This could be fatal if not treated promptly by a board certified cardiologist Plano, TX. Unfortunately, heart attacks are not very easy to identify, especially if you do not know the signs to look out for. Some episodes are even “silent,” happening without the chest-clutching scene often depicted in movies. So how can you tell if your chest pain is simply gas or a sign of an oncoming heart attack? Here are five silent signs you should know about.

Chest Pain, Discomfort, Fullness, or Pressure

Chest pain signaling cardiac arrest can be sudden and severe, which is easier to recognize. However, in most cases, the pain is mild and dull – almost a discomfort in the center of your chest that feels like heartburn. It can also feel like fullness, pressure, or as if someone is squeezing your chest. Usually, the discomfort comes on slowly and may be intermittent.

Dizziness and Difficulty Breathing

You may be headed toward a heart attack if you get extremely tired performing simple tasks. You may walk your dog and feel like you have run a full marathon. Usually, this is your body telling you that it is not receiving enough blood from your heart. In addition to this, you may also experience dizziness spells and shortness of breath as if you might faint.

Bodily Discomfort

Sometimes, heart attack symptoms may appear in other parts of your body. Instead of or in addition to chest pain, you may experience pain or discomfort in your stomach, jaw, neck, back, and arms. These symptoms can be difficult to associate with a heart attack, so the best course of action is to seek help if you feel something is amiss. This is especially true if you have a heart condition.

Cold Sweats and Nausea

If you wake up vomiting, feeling nauseated, and in a cold sweat, you may have the flu. You may also be experiencing a silent heart attack. The key here is to listen to your body and consider your medical history. If you have a history of cardiac issues, it is best to go to the hospital and rule out an attack.

Symptoms for Women

Women generally experience the same heart attack warning symptoms as men. But, their experience can be somewhat different. For instance, they may feel bodily pain as far as the back, abdomen, neck, and shoulders. It may feel like indigestion and be recurrent rather than consistent. Moreover, women are more likely to experience unexplained fatigue before manifesting other heart attack symptoms.

Stay on Top of Your Cardiac Health

Did you know that someone in the US experiences cardiac arrest every 40 seconds? Movies may portray these episodes as more dramatic than they are in real life. When you experience a heart attack, especially a silent one, it is unlikely that eyes rolled back, groaning, severe heart pain, and collapsing will be part of your experience. Instead, it may feel like you have the flu, are fatigued, or are experiencing back pain. This is why it is important to understand these low-key but important heart attack warning signs. You should also stay on top of your cardiac health by getting regular screening from a cardiologist.

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