Heart attack signs and symptoms in men and women: Chest pain or discomfort; Shortness of breath; Pain or discomfort in the jaw, neck, back, arm, or shoulder; Feeling nauseous, light-headed, or unusually tired.
Sometimes, the first symptom sign of a heart attack is sudden cardiac arrest. Some heart attacks strike suddenly. But many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance. Chest pain or pressure (angina) that keeps happening and doesn't go away with rest may be an early warning sign.
“I understand that heart attacks have beginnings and on occasion, signs of an impending heart attack may include chest discomfort, shortness of breath, shoulder and/or arm pain and weakness. These may occur hours or weeks before the actual heart attack.
Discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts several minutes, or goes away and comes back. It can feel like an uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, or pain. Discomfort in other upper-body areas, such as one or both arms, the back, the neck, the jaw, or the stomach.
However, heart attacks can also cause unusual levels of fatigue, sleep problems, and shortness of breath up to a month before in women. Treatment and recovery are possible, but only for those who recognize and act on these warning signs by immediately calling 911.
What time of day is a heart attack most likely to happen? “Most heart attacks hit during the early morning hours from 4 – 10 am when blood platelets are stickier, and there is increased adrenaline released from the adrenal glands that can trigger rupture of plaques in coronary arteries,” said Dr.
Can Heart Attack Symptoms Last for Days? While many heart attacks occur suddenly, warning signs such as recurrent chest pain may occur days or even weeks in advance.
Call 911 or emergency medical help if you think you might be having a heart attack. Someone having a heart attack may have any or all of the following: Chest pain, pressure or tightness, or a squeezing or aching sensation in the center of the chest.
But chest pain is still the most common symptom of poor blood flow to the heart or a heart attack. This type of chest pain is called angina. Chest pain can occur when the heart is not getting enough blood or oxygen. The amount and type of pain can vary from person to person.
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure and chest discomfort (angina) Shortness of breath. Pain in the neck, jaw, throat, upper belly area or back. Pain, numbness, weakness or coldness in the legs or arms if the blood vessels in those body areas are narrowed.
You can have a mild heart attack and may not even be aware that it's happening. There are two types of “minor” heart attacks: Non-ST Elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI).
Another possible reason behind heart attacks while sleeping is the chronic obstructive sleep apnea disorder. “Normally, your blood pressure falls at night. If you have sleep apnea, your blood pressure may not fall, which can lead to high blood pressure.
Less often, a coronary artery spasm can cut off your blood flow. Heart attacks can happen when you're asleep or awake. They can happen when: You just went through something very physically or emotionally stressful.
In fact, according to a study published in Circulation, the top three days for heart attacks are December 25, December 26 and January 1, respectively. Regardless of where we live, researchers have found, we are more susceptible to heart attacks in the winter months, even if it is 72 and sunny in California.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms of heart failure are: breathlessness – this may occur after activity or at rest; it may be worse when you're lying down, and you may wake up at night needing to catch your breath. fatigue – you may feel tired most of the time and find exercise exhausting.
Signs of a heart attack include:
- Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. - Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort. - Other signs such as breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness. (If you're experiencing any of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 immediately.)
“Just like the name implies, a silent heart attack is a heart attack that has either: no symptoms, minimal symptoms or. unrecognized symptoms,” says Deborah Ekery, M.D., a clinical cardiologist at Heart Hospital of Austin and with Austin Heart in Austin, TX.
Yes, a heart attack can occur with normal blood pressure. Although high blood pressure is one risk factor for heart attacks, it's not the only one. Other factors like smoking, high cholesterol, a family history of heart disease, obesity, diabetes, inactivity, and stress may also raise the risk of heart attacks.
Heart attacks involve blockages to the arteries supplying the heart. In a “mini” heart attack, blood flow to the heart is partially blocked. Symptoms include chest pain and are similar to those of a heart attack, but there is less damage to the heart.