A heart attack (Myocardial infarction), is caused by the sudden blockage of blood flow to part of your heart muscle. If blood flow isn't restored quickly, it can cause permanent life threatening damage. That’s why it's important to recognize early symptoms of a heart attack to minimize heart damage and increase survival chances. (1)

Heart Attack Symptoms 

Heart attack symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, ranging from severe to mild, or even being asymptomatic in some cases. 

This variability in symptoms can make it difficult for individuals to recognize they've had a heart attack until after medical evaluation.  Therefore, it's crucial for you to pay attention to any unusual changes in your health, especially if you have known risk factors for heart disease. (2)

Common heart attack symptoms include: (2)(3)

• Chest pain: The most common symptom, described as:some text
  • A squeezing, tightness, pressure, aching, or burning sensation in the center of your chest.
  • Pain that lasts more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back.
  • It can be intense or mild, sometimes mistaken for indigestion or heartburn.
  • It may sometimes be the only symptom.
• Pain that spreads to one or both arms (typically the left), neck, jaw, shoulder, and in rare cases, to the back or even the abdomen, and is not relieved by rest.
• Shortness of breath—may occur with or before chest pain.
• Feeling weak, dizzy, or faint, often accompanied by cold sweats.
• Persistent coughing or wheezing.

Heart Attack Symptoms in Women: Are They Different?

While chest pain is the classic symptom for both men and women, women are more likely to experience less common symptoms, such as:

• Back, jaw, or abdominal pain, instead of chest pain.
• Shortness of breath.
• Unexplained fatigue or exhaustion.
• Nausea or vomiting, often mistaken for digestive issues.
• Lightheadedness or dizziness.

Get Help Immediately!

Call emergency services immediately if you think that you are experiencing a heart attack or notice these symptoms on someone else, even if you are not entirely sure. Every minute counts, and rapid treatment can save your life.

Our emergency department at Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital is equipped to handle all your emergency needs. We have the most advanced level 3 emergency care services and technologies in the region.

First Aid for a Heart Attack

A heart attack is a critical medical emergency that requires immediate care, If you suspect that you or someone else is having a heart attack, follow these first aid steps: (3)(4)

• Call emergency services immediately: Don't hesitate to seek medical help. Every minute matters, and quick treatment can reduce heart damage and improve recovery chances.
• Rest: Sit or lie down in a comfortable position and loosen any tight clothing that might limit your breathing.
• Take nitroglycerin: If your doctor has prescribed nitroglycerin for chest pain, take it as directed.
• Chew Aspirin: If you have aspirin and are not allergic to it, chew an aspirin tablet (preferably 300 mg).
• Start CPR If the person stops breathing or has no pulse: start with 30 chest compressions followed by two breaths, and repeat until their pulse and breathing return or until medical help arrives.

How to Prevent Heart Attacks?

Steps to reduce heart attack risk include: (5)

• Controlling blood pressure, sugar, and cholesterol levels:

Regularly monitor your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels; elevated levels of any of these significantly increase the risk of heart disease. Don't ignore any elevations and work with your doctor to keep these readings under control through a healthy diet, exercise, and medications if necessary.

• Adhering to prescribed medications

Non-adherence to prescribed medications, especially cholesterol-lowering medications, is common. Take all your prescribed medicines and do not stop them without asking your doctor.

• A heart-healthy lifestyle

The simple changes you apply to your daily routine can make big differences:

• Achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
• Incorporate more physical activity into your life, such as walking, swimming, or working out at the gym.
• Increase your consumption of fruits, vegetables, and fiber-rich foods, and reduce fatty foods.
• Quit smoking, this is one of the most important steps to reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Manage stress and avoid its triggers.‍
• Visiting your doctor regularly

Periodic visits to your doctor can be crucial to detecting problems in their early stages. Be certain to keep these appointments and follow through with any recommended tests or screenings.

References

1. About Heart Attack Symptoms, Risk, and Recovery | Heart Disease, CDC
2. Heart attack symptoms: Know what's a medical emergency, Mayo Clinic
3. Heart attack, NHS
4. Heart attack - Symptoms & causes, Mayo Clinic‍
5. Heart Attack: Symptoms, Causes & Treatment, Cleveland Clinic