A heart attack might come on suddenly and strike without warning, but usually there are signals your body gives beforehand. Every 40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and knowing the signs can literally be a matter of life and death. Eat This, Not That! Health spoke with Dmitriy Nevelev, MD Associate Director of Cardiology at Staten Island University Hospital who shares five signs you're seconds away from a heart attack. As always, please consult your physician for advice.
Chest Discomfort with Routine Activities or While Resting
Dr. Nevelev tells us, "The presence of textbook symptoms warrants expedited evaluation by a cardiologist. If you are experiencing pressure-like chest discomfort with minimal activity or have additional symptoms such as difficulty breathing, upper body discomfort, sweating, or nausea, you should seek attention right away. Determining your risk of having a heart attack and recognizing the signs of having a heart attack early are crucial for preserving heart function and possibly saving your life."
Strong Family History of Heart Disease
Dr. Nevelev explains, "If you have at least one family member who had either a heart attack or stroke before the age of 55 for men or 65 for women, you are at an increased risk for heart disease. There can often be a strong hereditary link for heart attacks and even the most health conscious people can be affected at a young age. Early recognition allows us to minimize your risk of having a heart attack. It is never too early to be seen by a heart doctor to have your personal risk evaluated!"
Lost Consciousness or Feel Like You May Lose Consciousness
According to Dr. Nevelev, "The pumping action of the heart is coordinated by an intricate electrical system. If you have heart muscle injury from a heart attack, this may cause damage to this system and result in heart rhythms that are too slow, too fast, or too erratic. These rhythms could cause people to lose consciousness or "pass out." In the vast majority of cases, losing consciousness is not associated with having a heart attack; however, if you have underlying risk factors for heart disease or if you sustained significant injury from such an episode you should promptly seek medical attention."
Lingering Upper Abdominal Discomfort
"Symptoms of an impending heart attack don't always follow what's written in the textbooks," says Dr. Nevelev. "Atypical presentations are more common than previously thought, including complaints of lingering upper abdominal pain or fullness. Pay particular attention if you've had a previous diagnosis of a non-cardiac issue such as gastroesophageal reflux but are now having symptoms in the same region but of a different quality. These symptoms are more worrisome when they worsen with activity, are not associated with diet, or are happening more often."
You've Had a Heart Attack in the Past and are Experiencing Similar Symptoms
Dr. Nevelev shares, "As with many medical conditions, the greatest risk factor for a future event is a history of a prior event. Simply put: If it happened once, it can happen again. Nobody can know your body and how you are feeling better than you can. If you've already had a heart attack in the past and are experiencing the same symptoms, there is a strong possibility that you may be having another one. It is important to be mindful of your symptoms; many find it useful to keep a log describing exactly what symptoms they are having, for how long, and what made the symptoms better or worse."
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