Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs

The term 'myocardial infarction' is used to denote the condition heart attack in clinical terms. In this term, the word 'myo' refers to muscle, and 'cardial' means the heart. And the term 'infarction' refers to tissue death from lack of blood supply. According to most medical journals, more than 1 million people in the United States suffer from heart attacks each year. A heart attack damages the heart muscle that lasts permanently. It is characterized by the blockage of blood supply to a part of the heart muscle. And this occurs as a result of a blood clotting in the blood vessel that is associated with this affected part of the heart. If we look back into history, a heart attack always proved to be a fatal incidence. However, with the development of medical science in the field of cardiology, and increasing awareness of the warning signs of heart attack, most patients were able to survive the condition.

How to Determine An Impending Heart Attack

It is important to know that the nature of the symptoms do not remain the same with everyone. In fact, in some people, an attack may not be preceded by any warning signs whatsoever. This is known as a silent heart attack. However, know that, the more the symptoms are, the greater are the chances for an attack to strike. The most common symptoms that may signal an impending heart attack include:

• The most important symptom is a squeezing pain in the chest. This pain may also be described as a feeling of fullness by some people
• The above symptom may also be felt as a feeling of heaviness in the chest, arm and below the breastbone
• The chest pain becomes frequent
• Back, jaw, throat, or arm may also be felt throbbing with pain
• Breathing difficulty
• Irregular heartbeats
• Near fainting
• Profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting and dizziness
• The patient might have a choking feeling, or indigestion
• Weakness, anxiety and thoughts of dying

Now all these signs are common both in men and women. However, there are some warning signs that are specific to the latter. These may include:

• A burning sensation in the heart
• Pain in the abdominal region; prolonged
• Skin getting unpleasantly cold and humid
• Dizzy spells
• Lightheadedness
• Fatigue that may occur unusually or for no apparent reason

Furthermore, it is important to know that some people have an attack immediately after they have had the warning signs. While in some people, the attack occurs days or weeks after the above mentioned signs have occurred

Treatment

As soon as any of the above signs occur, prompt medical help is required, regardless of the fact whether the person is having a heart attack or not. When admitted in a hospital, the patient would be tended by medical professionals with the help of medication, or perhaps, surgical methods, depending upon the severity of the situation. The foremost aim of the treatment is to restore blood flow to the part of the heart muscle that has incurred the damage. Doing this, although may not cure the damage that has been done, but may prevent further deterioration of more heart tissues. The medications may include drugs to reduce blood clotting, drugs to dissolve a blood clot, blood-thinning drugs, and pain relievers. Also, medications for lowering cholesterol, and for relaxing the heart muscle may be prescribed. And if the patient's condition does not improve with mere medications, then he/she might be advised to go for a surgery.

Prevention is the key to never experience any such unpleasant symptoms of heart attack or heart attack itself. For people, who have already had an, are recommended to follow their prescribed course of medication diligently, and introduce a few changes in their lifestyle. These may include shunning smoking, regular exercises, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, having a heart-healthy diet, and managing stress.