Symptoms Of Heart Attack
Heart attacks most often occur as a result of coronary artery disease. CHD is a condition in which a waxy substance called plaque builds up inside the coronary arteries. These arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to your heart.
When there is a buildup of plaque over many years, an area of plaque can rupture inside of an artery. This causes a blood clot to form on the plaque's surface. If the clot becomes large enough, it can mostly or completely block blood flow through a coronary artery.
If the blockage is not treated quickly, the portion of heart muscle fed by the artery begins to die. Healthy heart tissue is replaced with scar tissue. This heart damage may not be obvious, or it may cause severe or long-lasting problems.
Not all heart attacks begin with the sudden, crushing chest pain. One-third of the patients who have heart attacks have no chest pain. These patients are more likely to be older, female, or diabetic.
The symptoms of a heart attack can vary from person to person. Some people can have few symptoms and are surprised to learn they have had a heart attack. If you have already had a heart attack, your symptoms may not be the same for another one. It is important for you to know the most common symptoms of a heart attack and also remember these facts:
(i) Heart attacks can start slowly and cause only mild pain or discomfort. Symptoms can be mild or more intense and sudden. Symptoms also may come and go over several hours. (ii) People who have high blood sugar (diabetes) may have no symptoms or very mild ones. (iii) The most common symptom, in both men and women, is chest pain or discomfort. (iv) Women are somewhat more likely to have shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, unusual tiredness (sometimes for days), and pain in the back, shoulders, and jaw. (v) Some people don't have symptoms at all. Heart attacks that occur without any symptoms or with very mild symptoms are called silent heart attacks.Most Common Symptoms
The most common warning symptoms of a heart attack for both men and women are:
Chest pain or discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, burning, heaviness or fullness. It also can feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe.
Upper body discomfort: You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).
Shortness of breath: This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.
In elderly or diabetic: Heart attack may come without any chest pain ( silent heart attack ) or they can have difficulty in breathing.
Periodic Preventive Health Checks, consultation with a cardiologist, proper medication, lifestyle change including food habits and exercise along with an understanding of symptoms , will help you take control of the situation.
PRASHANTH HEART FOUNDATION at Velachery , Chennai has the making of a world class cardiac centre with high technology support and backed by expert in cardiac care. The increasing incidence in heart diseases necessitates intervention through the latest procedures using the latest and most advanced technology to produce the best results. We have excellent diagnostic and therapeutic facilities that pave the path for accurate diagnosis and successful treatment of all heart conditions. Highly experiences cardiologists perform the interventional procedures while they are ably back by world class cardiac surgeons for all surgical procedures. Our aim is to provide safe and high quality cardiac care that translates into a long term symptom free survival period to our patients.