Friday, March 11, 2016

How to recognize Heart Attack one month before it happens

Heart attack or myocardial infarction occurs all of a sudden and sometimes without a warning, which is why it is referred to as one of the deadliest medical conditions. However, some people could be lucky if they can detect the subtle clues to the impending cardiac attack even a month before the actual attack. The following symptoms can be an indication that a possible attack could happen in the near future.

Cold sweats and dizziness

Poor circulation may restrict proper blood flow to the brain and hinders its smooth operation. This leads to clamminess and dizziness, especially when the person suddenly gets up from the chair or bed. This indicates extreme danger and needs immediate medical attention. Lack of immediate medical attention may be fatal, if the death of the tissue occurs. This symptom is even subtler in women, and it may be too late by the time they may have been discovered. This is why, it is advisable for women to visit their physicians regularly and get the complete check up done at regular intervals.

Excessive fatigue

The narrowing of the coronary artery leads to a dangerous level where the heart received less blood. This makes the heart muscle work harder than normal and leads to excessive fatigue or tiredness being felt. Gradual fatigue is experienced in the beginning and suddenly the plaque ruptures, triggering a chain of events and a sudden attack occurs.

Shortness of breath

When there is a great difficulty in breathing, it may indicate the risk of an impending attack. The heart receives less blood, in turn carrying less oxygen to the lungs, leading to shortness of breath. The cardiovascular and the respiratory systems are completely interdependent and hence, thus is another good indicator of an impending attack. Sometimes it so happens that, in such cases, many people have been treated for anxiety, which later turned out to be a heart attack.

Weakness

The body tends to feel weaker as there is lack of oxygen due to poor circulation. This happens when the muscles don’t receive enough blood, as the narrowing artery hinders the blood circulation. The other may be a gradual progression of the disease, where the artery gets narrower over time. Once it gets narrowed down to more than 70%, the symptoms start showing up especially with physical exertions or weakness.

Discomfort in the chest

A heart attack occurs when a tissue dies due to lack of blood flow and makes a person experience excruciating pain and pressure. This usually occurs when there is a gradual build-up of plaque within the coronary artery, resulting in the loss of blood supply and eventually the attack. This is one of the suggestive symptoms of an impending heart attack. The discomfort in the chest may be minor pain or built up pressure, but will constantly keep increasing till the actual attack occurs.

Flu or cold symptoms

Many people have recorded developing cold or flu symptoms out of nowhere, just before the actual attack. This is also a very serious indication of an impending attack and one must immediately consult a doctor.

If any one of the above symptoms is experienced, it means that it is time to take immediate action and consult a doctor. Cardiovascular health could be the difference between life and death. The best way to prevent an impending attack is to react to its symptoms as soon as they are experienced. These symptoms may show up individually or in combination. It is always recommended to test for problems if there is strange body behaviour, especially if there is a family history of heart diseases. Take care!