Understanding the Signs & Symptoms of Heart Attack

Deteriorating lifestyle, increasing stress and obesity and lack of awareness have made
cardiac diseases one of the highest causes of fatalities in the world. According to
estimates over 20 million deaths occur worldwide owing to cardiac diseases. The trend
is fasting catching up in India and over 40% deaths each year will be a direct result of
cardiac problems by the year 2020. While, the situation does appear grave, one must
understand that most cardiac diseases are caused by lifestyle factors which can be
managed and kept in check.
One of the common cardiac diseases is heart attack, wherein the oxygenated blood does
not reach the heart and thereby damaging the heart muscles. This condition is also
known as myocardial infarction.
Although, most people think of Heart Attacks as a sudden, unexpected event, there are
clearly signs & symptoms that one can check and understand. Typical image of a patient
having a heart attack is violent chest pain that occurs completely out of the blue.
However, research shows that up to 30% of the patients never experience chest pain
even they might have had a heart attack.
Some of the common symptoms of heart attack have been given below:
1. Tightness and discomfort in the chest region
2. Nausea, indigestion and acid reflux
3. Pain radiating downwards from the left side of the body, typically, the arm
4. Dizziness and blackouts
5. Exhaustion, fatigue and tiredness
6. Excessive sweating
7. Chronic cough
8. Swelling of the limbs
9. Irregular heart beat
10. Excessive snoring
The symptoms of heart attack vary from one individual to another and do not necessary
follow a particular pattern. However, when you observe some of the above signs it is
better to take preventive measures.
One of the most common symptom is chest pain or discomfort, however, 1 in 3 patients
do not exhibit such a symptom. Persistent coughing or sneezing is an accompanied sign
alongside growing fear and anxiety. The coughing is the result of fluid accumulation in
the lungs. The onset of an impending heart attack can also result in loss of
consciousness and arhythmias.

Some of the other common symptoms include - shortage of breath, body pains, nausea
and excessive sweating. Heart attacks often begin slowly and cause only mild pain or
discomfort but gradually become more painful. There is also a possibility that the
symptoms may manifest and disappear every few hours.
However, it is important to note that in certain cases, people can have heart attack
despite not being accompanied by any signs or symptoms these are known as silent
heart attacks. People with high blood sugar (diabetes) are most likely to have no
symptoms or very mild symptoms of heart attack.