Introduction
If you’ve ever experienced chest pain or discomfort, you know how frightening it can be. It’s important to be aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack so you can seek medical attention as soon as possible. According to doctors, there are certain sure signs that you are seconds away from a heart attack. Eating the right foods and avoiding the wrong ones can also help reduce your risk of a heart attack. In this article, we’ll discuss the sure signs you are seconds away from a heart attack, as well as the foods you should eat and the foods you should avoid to reduce your risk.
Sure Signs You Are Seconds Away From a Heart Attack, Say Doctors — Eat This Not That
Heart attacks can be sudden and unexpected, but there are some warning signs that can alert you to the possibility of an impending attack. According to doctors, if you experience any of the following symptoms, you may be seconds away from a heart attack and should seek medical attention immediately.
1. Chest Pain
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. This pain can range from mild to severe and can last for several minutes or come and go. It may feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center of your chest.
2. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another common symptom of a heart attack. This can occur even before chest pain. You may feel like you can’t catch your breath or that you’re having difficulty breathing.
3. Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting are also common symptoms of a heart attack. You may feel like you’re about to vomit or have already vomited.
4. Sweating
Sweating is another symptom of a heart attack. You may feel like you’re sweating more than usual or that you’re sweating even when you’re not exerting yourself.
5. Lightheadedness
Lightheadedness is another symptom of a heart attack. You may feel like you’re about to faint or that you’re having difficulty staying conscious.
What to Do
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. In the meantime, try to stay calm and avoid eating or drinking anything. Eating or drinking can make the symptoms worse.
It’s also important to make lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of a heart attack. Eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid smoking and drinking alcohol. These changes can help reduce your risk of a heart attack and improve your overall health.
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. Read on—and to ensure your health and the health of others, don’t miss these Sure Signs You’ve Already Had COVID.
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.”
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!”
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.”
“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.”
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.”
Heather Newgen