How to Detect a Heart Attack
Over 1,000,000 people this year will suffer a heart attack and sadly, nearly 40 percent of them will not survive. Knowing how to detect a heart attack and getting help within the first hour greatly increases your chances for a full recovery. The following information is designed to help you learn how to detect a heart attack.
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Instructions
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Detect a Heart Attack
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Don’t misdiagnose your chest pain. Crushing pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest could be indicative of a heart attack. If you experience chest pain, don’t write it off as indigestion, stress, or fatigue. On the other hand, if you experience other symptoms of heart attack without chest pain, seek help immediately. Some heart attack victims, especially women and those with diabetes, may not experience any chest pain at all. In fact, some victims never experience any symptoms of a heart attack. These instances are called "silent" heart attacks.
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Note any change in respiration. Shortness of breath and difficulty breathing may be signs that can alert you that a heart attack is occurring or is about to occur.
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Pay attention to pain in the upper half of the body. During a heart attack, some people experience pain that extends from the chest to the jaw or from the chest to the left arm or shoulder. Any pain or numbness in the upper back, arms, hands and face could signal a heart attack.
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Watch carefully for other warning signs that are sometimes disregarded during a heart attack but may be your only symptoms. If you feel a lump in your throat, experience nausea, vomiting, rapid pulse, or irregular heartbeat alone or together with any of the above symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
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Get help immediately if you even suspect that you could be having a heart attack. 50% of the heart attack victims that do not survive didn’t seek medical attention during the first hour after their heart attacks. Seeking help during that first hour could mean the difference between life and death. Even if you aren't sure you're having heart attack, you should seek help.
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Tips & Warnings
For more information about heart health, see the resource provided below.
Never take chances when it comes to your health. Seek immediate medical assistance if you’re experiencing any of the above symptoms, even if you’re not in pain.
If you are severely overweight, suffer from diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or if you use drugs or alcohol in excess—your heart attack risk is dramatically increased. Do what you can to reduce your risk now, before permanent damage can be done to your heart. Talk with your doctor about ways you can reduce your heart attack risk.
Silent heart attacks often occur without symptoms. If you have any of the risk factors for heart attack, see your physician regularly for a complete physical.
