Early Heart Attack Symptoms

Heart attack is the popular term for sudden pain in the chest accompanied with breathing difficulty arising out of certain heart conditions. Heart attacks can be suddenly fatal, but the great majority is not. The patient recovers under proper treatment and goes on to live many more productive years. The popular perception of in movies is of the afflicted person clutching his/her chest and falling to the ground within seconds - dead on the spot due to a heart attack. However, there are early symptoms that forewarn us of the possibility of a heart attack. It is imperative to recognize these symptoms, because time is critical when treating a heart attack.

Around 50% of patients with a history of heart disease have poor knowledge of the symptoms of a heart attack. If patients are unaware of the early symptoms, they will not seek the treatment. Also, if they do not see themselves at risk of heart attack, they will look for another explanation when they experience these symptoms.

Many heart attacks start slowly as a mild pain or discomfort. Shortness of breath is one of the early symptoms wherein one feels like one has run a long distance and needs to catch one's breath even though one has done nothing. A feeling of weight on the chest is another early symptom. One feels like someone is squeezing inside one's chest or someone is sitting on one's chest. This is a very common symptom. Another symptom is the pain that spreads to the shoulder, neck, jaw and/or arms. This pain can be mild or severe. Sometimes it manifests itself as a burning sensation. Angina pectoris may occur before a full-fledged heart attack. Generally, what happens is this: During physical exertion, during stress or an emotionally charged situation, in cold weather or after a big meal, the heart beats faster. The heart requires more oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle to maintain the beating. But if the channels by which the blood and oxygen flow to the heart are narrowed, not enough nutrients reach the heart muscle tissue. It suffers from oxygen deficiency, and the heart responds with a pain called angina pectoris.

Other early symptoms are:

• Discomfort following meals
• Irregular heartbeats
• Fainting
• Confusion
• Severe anxiety
• Light-headedness
• Weakness
• Cold sweat
• Vomiting
• Nausea
• Paleness

Here are some factors which cause heart attack:

1. Heredity- One's chances of heart disease are more if there is a family history of heart disease.
2. Stress- Heart attacks have a direct relation with stress. Interpersonal relationships and financial worries may play a role.
3. Smoking- Studies indicate that heavy cigarette smokers have a 50 to 150% higher heart risk than nonsmokers.
4. Lack of physical exercise- People having sedentary lifestyles are relatively prone to heart attacks.
5. Obesity- The more one's weight, the more the chances of having heart attacks.
6. Diet- People following a high cholesterol diet are more likely to suffer from heart attacks.

It is always better to prevent heart attacks than cure them. People who have symptoms are advised to have a low cholesterol and well-balanced diet, regular exercise and adopt stress management techniques. Early symptoms should not be taken lightly as they can lead to a full-blown heart attack.