Did any of your blood relations have a recent attack of myocardial infarction? You might also be having the same risk. Perhaps the worst thing about a heart attack is that it’s possible for you to never see it coming. Heart attacks come suddenly and are usually a result of long-standing morbidity that went unnoticed. The heartening news is that you can prepare yourself well in advance by knowing more about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack, and the ways to prevent it.

Do you have any of the risk factors?
The incidence of heart attacks has steadily increased, thanks to the ever-increasing sedentary lifestyles that have disrupted the healthy existence of the human race. Enlisted are some risk factors identified by the experts that might point out that you are harboring the disease within.

• Increasing age
• Obesity
• First-degree blood relations with a history of heart attack
• Sedentary life
• Low level of physical activity
• Uncontrolled blood pressure
• Elevated blood cholesterol levels
• Unregulated and unhealthy diet
• Stress
• Smoking
• Alcoholism

Having any one or more of the aforementioned risk factors increase the chances of you getting a heart attack. These days, there are also heart attacks among young people, due to the poor eating and physical activity patterns.

Chest pain
The easiest symptom to identify, but not present in all heart attacks, is chest pain. It is associated with the majority of the heart attacks. There are usually sudden severe chest pains, but when it is myocardial infarction, there are a few minor chest pains before the actual attack comes. You can differentiate this by understanding the nature of suffering. The chest pain will be of the following types:

• A mild chest pain in the sternal region
• Left-hand pain radiating into chest, neck, jaw, and back
• Discomfort in the chest not relieved by rest
• Feeling of pressure over the sternum and left side of the chest
• The pain or discomfort will suddenly reduce and will reappear after some time

The symptom that you cannot miss at all is the radiating chest pain. No other issue presents like this. If you suffer from any of the aforementioned symptoms, then you must call for help.

Profuse sweating
Due to the activation of the nerves, there will be profuse sweating. This sweat will drench you to the extent that it will appear you are right out of the shower. Your skin will be cold and clammy. Being an early sign, you will have time to reach the nearest hospital.

Shortness of breath
Breathlessness is one of the most noticeable symptoms of a heart attack. You are walking regularly, but suddenly you have dyspnea that derails you. You normally get breathless after exertion. Here you are breathless even at rest. When you get this, you must be treated.

Palpitations
A symptom closely associated with breathlessness is palpitations. These are increased heart rate. If you want to know how palpitations feel like, run up and down the stairs till you are tired. Now place your hand over your chest and feel the heart racing. These are palpitations. Time is precious when you sense palpitations. You must seek medical help right away.

Indigestion, nausea, and vomiting
Most of the time, before a heart attack, there is a feeling of indigestion, burping, and nausea. Sometimes puking may also be associated with this. You must never ignore these signs, especially when you don’t have an alternate explanation for indigestion, nausea, and vomiting.

Lightheadedness
Dizziness is the term most of the people use to describe this sensation. You may be walking or working normally, but suddenly you may feel like you are going to faint or pass out. Sometimes there may be momentary fainting too. In such cases, don’t hesitate to call 911 for help.

Fatigue
Due to decreased function of the heart, you will feel very tired even while doing routine chores. You get tired for no reason. This is an early sign, which means that you can consult your physician and decide your next course of action.

Next time when you face any of these symptoms seek medical assistance at the earliest.

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