Most people have heard of the heart attack signs that include chest pain, and pain or tightness that travels along the left arm, but heart attacks come with many symptoms. It’s important to know that every heart attack victim experiences symptoms differently. Here’s what you need to know about heart attack symptoms:
The Pain Is Not Limited to the Left Side
Although pain that travels down the left arm and into the jaw may signal a heart attack, pain may centralize between the shoulder blades, around either arm, in the chest, or even in the upper abdomen. If you experience pain, tightening, or restriction- a feeling of suffocation or weight that makes it difficult to breathe, when you’re not exercising, you may be having a heart attack.
Dizziness, Fatigue, and Sweating May Indicate Heart Attack
If you’re sweating profusely in spite of not having engaged in heavy exercise, feel dizzy, fatigued, or lightheaded, your heart may be in trouble. In addition, clammy skin, cold sweat, and gastrointestinal upset like heartburn, indigestion, nausea and vomiting may indicate a problem with your heart.
A Sense of Impending Doom
Sometimes a heart attack comes with what seems to be a warning from the body. Physical symptoms of extreme anxiety, like an irregular or racing heartbeat, difficulty breathing, and a feeling of impending doom or fear may accompany a heart attack.
If you suffer what may feel like a panic or anxiety attack, especially if the attack comes with pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, indigestion, nausea or vomiting, go to the ER right away. You may learn that your symptoms are from something as harmless as indigestion, but when it comes to your heart, it’s always better to err on the side of caution.
Dr. Ciuffo and the Minimally Invasive and Bloodless Heart Surgery Program
Dr. Ciuffo is dedicated to ensuring your heart is healthy. If you are in need of heart surgery and have any questions or how you should prepare for it, feel free to contact us at (330) 588-4676 or visit our contact page online.
