Over a million people a year suffer a heart attack. The classic symptoms – chest pain or pressure, cold sweats, extreme weakness – are well known. However, there are subtle signs that you have or that you will have a heart attack, which are quite easy to miss. If you notice any of the following symptoms, you should see a doctor.
Exhaustion
This is one of the most common symptoms, particularly in women. Research shows that 95% of people who are on the verge of a heart attack usually complain of fatigue and that they are unable to perform their usual activities. During a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart is reduced, putting additional pressure on the muscle, which leads to you feeling exhausted.
Back, hands or chest pain
Noticeable pain in the back, chest or hands often is a silent sign of a heart attack. When muscle cells of the heart starts missing oxygen during a heart attack because of blocked arteries by preventing blood flow that carries oxygen and that “feed” the cells, they are beginning to send a signal in the form of pain through the nervous system. Your brain and nerve signals mixed with signals coming from the hands (or jaw, shoulder, elbow, neck or upper back) because of the proximity of nerves. Since pain is usually not accompanied by the classic “pressing” in the area of the breast that is associated with a heart attack, most people tend to his ignorance.
Shortness of breath
If you have shortness of breath immediately after waking up, it’s a sign that something is wrong. The heart has a key role in the transport of oxygen to the rest of your body and removing carbon dioxide from the tissues and blocking the blood flow to your heart can affect your breathing.
Heartburn
If you have occasional spurts of heartburn after a hearty lunch, then in most cases there is no reason to worry, but if your heartburn had never “tormented” or if it appears more often than usual, contact your doctor, because it can be a silent signal of a heart attack. Angina, chest pain similar to heartburn, caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, which is what happens during a heart attack.
Restless stomach
Symptoms of a heart attack can sometimes mimic stomach problems such as nausea, vomiting, or, in general, can mimic gastrointestinal disorders, especially among women. If you feel unwell, contact your doctor. The cause can be a very late meal (which you ate at ten o’clock in the evening), but it can also be a heart attack.
