Learn the symptoms of a heart attack

A heart attack can have a devastating and long-lasting effect on you and your family. Therefore, being aware of the symptoms early can help you and your loved ones get the necessary medical attention before it is too late. A heart attack occurs when blood flow to part of the heart is blocked and the heart is deprived of oxygen. It is possible that the heart attack was caused by a clot in a coronary artery or by any other health condition that cuts off the vital blood supply to the heart muscle.

Rapid treatment is necessary if blood flow to the heart is not restored quickly, because the part of the heart that cannot get oxygen stops working, and the amount of damage to the heart tissue depends on how long the blood supply has been cut off, and in the most cases the heart may stop About palpitations completely causing cardiac arrest. With the rapid treatment of damage to the heart muscle, blood flow can be restored in a timely manner and a full recovery can be achieved.

Shortness of breath

Both a heart attack and an irregular heartbeat may cause part of the heart muscle to be permanently damaged, leaving an area of ​​scar tissue and thus suffering from shortness of breath. Unexplained shortness of breath that occurs when doing simple activity can indicate a heart problem, such as climbing some stairs.

Fatigue

Fatigue can be caused by many diseases and medications. But sudden and persistent fatigue can sometimes indicate heart failure, in which the heart fails to pump blood well, or coronary artery disease.

Unexplained aches or pains

The blockage in blood flow to the heart muscle that occurs with coronary artery disease causes pain due to intense pressure on and exhaustion of the heart. However, this pain does not always appear in the chest. Sometimes it is in the shoulders, arms, back, jaw, or abdomen. 

Swollen feet or ankles

Leg, ankle, or foot swelling (the type that leaves a gap if you press your finger into it) may be a sign of heart failure, and it can also be caused by kidney disease, liver failure, eating too much salty food, or inadequate blood flow in the legs (insufficiency). Intravenous) or a side effect of some medications.

Heart palpitations

Heart palpitations are when the heartbeat is irregular or fast. Most palpitations are harmless and may be triggered by anxiety, caffeine intake, or dehydration. But sometimes, palpitations indicate a heart problem.