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By James Stephen Jenkins, MD, FACC, FSCAI, FSVM
The No. 1 cause of death in both men and women is heart disease. Heart attacks do not always happen like they do in the movies. Heart attacks can happen suddenly or silently, but warning signs may occur for many people hours, days or weeks in advance. Knowing these signs and symptoms can help you save your life or the life of someone you love.
What are the signs of a heart attackto look out for?
Here are some of the most common signs of a heart attack that you may experience a month before the actual event:
1. Frequent chest pain |
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2. Fatigue |
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3. Dizziness |
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4. Indigestion or nausea |
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5. Sweating |
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6. Swelling in the legs, ankles and/or feet |
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7. Irregular heartbeat |
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8. Pain in other parts of your body |
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9. Shortness of breath |
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What should I do if I am experiencing symptoms of a heart attack?
If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, it's important to seek medical attention immediately. The longer you wait to get treatment, the more damage can be done to your heart. Here are the steps you should take:
- Call emergency services: Dial 911 immediately and request an ambulance.
- Take aspirin: If you have aspirin on hand and are not allergic to it, chew and swallow one 325-milligram tablet while waiting for emergency services. This can help to reduce the risk of blood clotting and improve blood flow to the heart.
- Rest: Try to stay calm and rest while you wait for emergency services to arrive. Avoid physical activity, which can strain your heart. Sit down, rest and take deep, slow breaths.
- Provide information: When the emergency medical team arrives, provide them with as much information as possible about your symptoms, medical history and any medications you are taking.
Symptoms of a heart attack can include chest pain, discomfort or pressure in the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, sweating, lightheadedness or dizziness and pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, jaw or stomach. It is important to take any potential symptoms of a heart attack seriously and seek medical attention immediately.
How to reduce the risk of aheart attackoccurring
There are several things you can do to reduce your risk of having a heart attack. A few of these include:
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced and healthy diet, exercise regularly, and maintain a healthy weight. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days of the week.
- Quit smoking: If you smoke, quit as soon as possible. Smoking is a major risk factor for heart disease and quitting can significantly reduce your risk.
- Manage health conditions: Keep conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes under control with proper medication and lifestyle changes.
- Reduce stress: Manage stress through relaxation techniques such as meditation, yoga, or deep breathing exercises. High levels of stress can increase your risk of a heart attack.
In addition, it is important to have regular check-ups with your healthcare provider to monitor your overall health and assess your risk for heart disease. Following these steps can significantly reduce your risk of a heart attack and promote a healthy heart.
Take the first step towards a healthy heart and schedule an appoint with a cardiologist today!
Tags
cardiology
heart attack
heart health
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