heart attack symptom

Answer 1

Myocardial infarction, or heart attack, is the leading cause of death in adults in the world. It occurs when lack of circulation to part of the heart kills the cells in that area, thus ceasing heart function. Some people suffer several heart attacks in their lifetime that do not result in death. However, even one heart attack can kill a person. Immediate treatment of some heart attacks is necessary to stop the damage before it results in death. Even then, treatment is not always successful.

As much as one quarter of heart attacks will not produce any symptoms, though this is more likely in women than in men. When there are symptoms, the most common are weakness, shortness of breath and sudden chest pain. The pain can radiate from the chest and into the left arm, shoulder and neck. Some other conditions can present with the same symptoms leading people to believe they are having a heart attack when it is something less urgent. Nonetheless, these symptoms should be treated as serious and heart attack should be ruled out.

Other symptoms of heart attack are heart palpitations, vomiting, nausea, sweating, anxiety, heartburn and fatigue. Any or all of these symptoms may be present during a heart attack. While anxiety produces similar symptoms, heart attack should not be ruled out in the presence of anxiety. The symptoms of heart attack are more than capable of producing anxiety. One should never assume that these symptoms are anxiety, especially if there is a pre-existing heart condition.

Several other potentially fatal events can present as a heart attack. These include fluid buildup around the heart, esophageal perforation, collapsed lung and pulmonary embolism. There are also non-life threatening illnesses that can produce heart attack symptoms, such as anxiety and acid reflux. Only a doctor can diagnose a heart attack, using a number of tests and patient history. A heart attack can also go completely unnoticed until those tests become necessary for another reason or another heart attack. If those tests never become necessary, the heart attack should be noted during autopsy whether or not it is the cause of death or occurred earlier.

Answer 2

Heart attacks are one of the most scary and unfortunate things that can happen to a person. As a result, it's important to know the symptoms of a heart attack in order to seek immediate medical treatment in the event you begin experiencing them. In the past, the general public was unaware of what heart attack symptoms were, and as a result, many people ended up losing their lives; however, today, as a result of public education programs combined with advanced medical knowledge, more and more people are seeking the treatment they need at the first sign of a heart attack, and as a result, are living longer lives.

When most people think of a heart attack, they envision a person clutching their chest. While it's true that chest pain is one symptom of a heart attack, there are many other symptoms that may go unnoticed. Because the heart is in the center of the body, individuals experiencing a heart attack may also feel pain in their back. This pain will typically radiate out and may cause increased pain in the left arm. This occurs as a result of blood not flowing into the left side of the body.

Additionally, heart attack victims may experience shortness of breath. Once again, this may be caused by a limited blood supply flowing through the body, leaving the lungs without as much blood and oxygen. Additionally, individuals experiencing a heart attack may feel weak or dizzy. Because blood is not properly flowing through the brain, muscles and various organs, the body is not receiving the amount of fuel it needs to function, resulting in these issues.

Heart attack symptoms should not be taken lightly. If you feel any of the above symptoms, or if you are concerned about your heart health, it's important to see you primary care physician at once. It should also be noted that certain conditions, such as generalized anxiety disorder, may also cause symptoms that mirror those of a heart attack. If you are unsure as to whether you are experiencing anxiety attack symptoms or heart attack symptoms, it's best to check with your primary care physician in order to rule out any other disorders, as well as to remain safe from the damage a heart attack can produce.