What are the symptoms of a heart attack?
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Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Heart attacks, also known as myocardial infarctions (MI), are critical medical emergencies that occur when blood flow to a part of the heart is blocked, causing damage to the heart muscle. Recognizing the symptoms early is crucial for timely intervention and improved survival rates. This article synthesizes findings from multiple studies to outline the common and less common symptoms of a heart attack.
Common Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Chest Pain or Discomfort
Chest pain is the most frequently reported symptom of a heart attack. It is often described as a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing in the chest1 6. This pain can radiate to other parts of the body, including the left arm, neck, back, and jaw1 3 9.
Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath, or dyspnea, is another prevalent symptom. It can occur with or without chest pain and is more commonly reported in women2 6 8. Studies indicate that abnormal breath noise is a significant predictor of shortness of breath during a heart attack2.
Sweating
Excessive sweating, known as diaphoresis, is also a common symptom. It often accompanies chest pain and shortness of breath6.
Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are frequently reported, particularly in women. These symptoms can sometimes be mistaken for gastrointestinal issues1 6.
Weakness and Fatigue
General weakness and fatigue are common, especially in women. These symptoms can precede the heart attack by days or even weeks1 6 8.
Less Common Symptoms
Pain in Other Areas
Pain or discomfort can also occur in the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back. These symptoms are less commonly recognized but are significant indicators of a heart attack3 9.
Lightheadedness and Fainting
Feeling lightheaded, dizzy, or faint is another symptom that can occur during a heart attack. This is often due to a sudden drop in blood pressure3 6.
Anxiety and Stress
Feelings of anxiety, stress, or a sense of impending doom can also be symptoms of a heart attack. These psychological symptoms are often overlooked but are important to recognize1.
Sleep Disturbances
Unusual fatigue and sleep disturbances are particularly noted in women who experience heart attacks. These symptoms can be prodromal, meaning they occur before the actual heart attack8.
Conclusion
Recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack is vital for prompt medical intervention. Common symptoms include chest pain, shortness of breath, sweating, nausea, and fatigue, while less common symptoms involve pain in other areas, lightheadedness, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Public health efforts should focus on increasing awareness of these symptoms to ensure timely and effective responses to heart attacks.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
Myocardial Infarction: Symptoms and Treatments
Myocardial infarction (MI) is caused by plaques in arteries, and immediate treatment includes aspirin, nitroglycerin, and thrombolytic drugs.
Highly CitedThe profile of heart attack symptoms of cardiovascular patients at XYZ hospital
The most influential factor to heart attack symptoms is breath noise, with 80.5% of patients experiencing short of breath if breath noise is not normal.
Observational StudyPublic recognition of major signs and symptoms of heart attack: seventeen states and the US Virgin Islands, 2001.
Public health efforts are needed to increase recognition of major heart attack symptoms and knowledge of calling 9-1-1 for an acute event.
Observational StudyHighly CitedCauses and Treatments of Heart Attack
Heart attacks are caused by various factors and treated with various drugs and therapies, aiming to decrease cases and mortality rates.
Awareness of Heart Attack Symptoms and Response Among Adults — United States, 2008, 2014, and 2017
Awareness of heart attack symptoms and calling 9-1-1 increased among U.S. adults between 2008 and 2017, but disparities persist by demographic characteristics and cardiovascular risk group.
Observational StudyMyocardial Infarction
Myocardial infarction is a heart attack caused by oxidative stress and atherosclerosis, with symptoms including chest pain, shortness of breath, weakness, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations.
Knowledge and Poor Understanding Factors of Stroke and Heart Attack Symptoms
Poor understanding of stroke and heart attack symptoms is associated with factors such as older age, male gender, lower education, lack of regular exercise, unmarried status, unemployment, poor economic status, and poor health behaviors.
Observational Study
Rigorous JournalWomen with heart attacks have characteristic symptoms, says new study
Women with heart attacks often experience common symptoms like fatigue, sleep disturbance, and shortness of breath, but less than a third report chest discomfort before the attack.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalPublic knowledge of heart attack symptoms in Beijing residents.
Beijing residents' knowledge of common and less common heart attack symptoms is deficient, but their knowledge of calling emergency medical services when someone is having a heart attack is relatively adequate.
Observational StudyRigorous JournalPublic Awareness of and Action towards Heart Attack Symptoms: An Exploratory Study
Public awareness of and action towards heart attack symptoms in Malaysia are poor, with only 11.5% correctly recognizing all five symptoms and 35.6% calling an ambulance when experiencing them.
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