Heart Attack Symptoms You Shouldn't Ignore

Having a heart attack is a life threatening occurrence. Patients often misread or overlook the messages their body is sending them. It's important not to misread your symptoms.

Because heart attack symptoms mimic other illnesses, many victims of this malady overlook the seriousness of their conditions. Some individuals confuse their symptoms with viruses, the flu, jetlag, being tired, exercising too strenuously, not getting enough rest, or being stressed. One of the reasons individuals are so confused about their symptoms is because of the variety of ways this event shows up. The sufferer could be resting, sleeping, working, or simply walking down the street. Victims could be male or female, young or old, or live in any city or nation in the world. By the time many victims get to the hospital, it may be too late. After being examined, it becomes evident that telltale signs have been going on for days or even weeks. It's important to pay attention to your body and to recognize any unusual feelings, sensations, and red flags.

Some common sensations that point to a heart attack include pressure, pain, and shortness of breath. The pressure that occurs may feel like the center of the chest region is being squeezed or may just feel like fullness in the area. Pain can occur in the abdomen, in the chest, shoulder, back, and/or arm. Patients even report a painful feeling in their mouths along the jawbone and into their teeth. Angina is the name of chest pain that occurs repeatedly. Although it's not a full-blown health crisis, it can be a sign that one is imminent. Angina is a result of a loss of blood flowing to this organ. The shortness of breath can sometimes be confused with overexertion because sweating often accompanies it. If a person has been exercising, going up stairs, or carrying something heavy, he or she may think the breathing difficulty and perspiration are a result of the exercise. In women, feeling exhausted or overly fatigued may be an indicator of this serious occurrence.

Some patients report a feeling of impending doom which may be their intuition telling them that something is very wrong. They may become dizzy, lightheaded, and may actually faint. Some individuals not only have stomach pain, but they actually throw up which makes them think they simply have the flu or food poisoning. Their skin may become cool and pale so that they look like they've seen a ghost.

If you or someone you love is having unusual symptoms that may be a heart attack, it's important to pay attention. It's better to go to the doctor or hospital and be declared healthy than not going and be declared dead. This malady is very serious indeed. Patients should have regular examinations and follow healthy lifestyle habits to minimize their risks. Paying attention to the signs and signals of one's body is truly a matter of life or death.