Chest Pain
Heart Attack Warning Signs Some heart attacks are sudden and intense as in Hollywood movie versions of a heart attack where no one doubts what is happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected are not sure what is wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack:
Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts
more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure,
squeezing, with fullness or pain.
Discomfort in other areas of the upper body.
Pain discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
Other signs: Breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain. If you have chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Take an aspirin right away and Call 9-1-1. Get to a hospital right away.
When my Dad experienced a heart attack, he never had pain, never had shortness of breath. He thought he was just unusually tired. He lay down and turned off the television and rested all night. He took a nap the following day. The day after that he had a yearly check up previously scheduled. It turned out he had had a heart attack. There was 90% blockage of one artery and 75% blockage of a second heart artery. This happened slowly over a long time and that is what saved him. If it had been a sudden blockage, he would have died. He had a balloon angioplasty performed; takes medication to keep his blood pressure low; his blood thinned; and his cholesterol very low. The last time he checked, his cholesterol was 138.
Stroke Warning Signs If you or someone with you has one or more of the stroke warning signs, don't delay. Immediately call 9-1-1 or the emergency medical services (EMS) number so an ambulance (ideally with advanced life support) can be sent for you. Also, check the time so you'll know when the first symptoms appeared. It's very important to take immediate action. If given within three hours of the start of symptoms, a clot-busting drug can reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke. The following are some warning signs of stroke:
Sudden numbness or weakness especially on one side of the face, arm or leg.
Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding.
Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes.
Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination
Sudden, severe headache with no known cause.
Indigestion Get any chest pain checked out by a physician. Sometimes the diagnosis can be indigestion or heartburn. This is especially seen with huge cystic organs that compress our stomachs. It usually lasts only a few minutes and is relieved by an antacid tablet. With prolonged chest pain lasting longer than a half an hour, be sure to go to an urgent care center or emergency room.
Already have Heart Disease? Consider watching this lecture given by a physician titled the Heart Attack Proof Diet.