Although a heart attack frequently seems to happen suddenly, your body may start to give you subtle warning signs as early as one month before the attack. You could save your life by recognizing these early symptoms, which are often misdiagnosed as stress, exhaustion, or even indigestion.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, with one person dying from cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds, according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The CDC states that a myocardial infarction, another name for a heart attack, occurs when a portion of the heart muscle does not receive enough blood. “The damage to the heart muscle increases with the amount of time that goes by without treatment to restore blood flow.”
However, according to a recent study that was published in the National Library of Medicine, some symptoms appear up to a month prior to the attack, providing people with plenty of time to seek medical attention.
To help you recognize when you are experiencing heart-related problems, let’s go over some of these symptoms.
Unusual weariness
It’s normal to feel exhausted after a long day, but excessive, inexplicable fatigue? That might be a red flag. Weeks before a heart attack, many women report feeling exhausted, sometimes even in the absence of chest pain.
Warning indicators:
Even after a full night’s sleep, you’re worn out.
You get unusually exhausted from simple activities (like walking or climbing stairs).abrupt, extreme exhaustion that doesn’t go away with rest.
If you experience persistent fatigue, especially when combined with other symptoms, don’t ignore it. Many people write this off as stress or overwork.
Breathlessness
Your heart may be having trouble if you feel as though you are suddenly out of breath, even if you are not exercising or exerting yourself.
Warning indicators:
- After doing little activity, or even while you’re sleeping, you’re having trouble breathing.
- You experience dizziness or lightheadedness in addition to dyspnea.
- Breathing becomes more difficult when lying down.
Sudden dyspnea may be a sign of an impending heart attack, but it is commonly confused with anxiety, asthma, or a lack of fitness.
Pain in the chest
The most common sign of a heart attack is chest pain, but it doesn’t always manifest as you might anticipate.
Warning indicators:
- a slight constriction, constriction, or pressure in the chest.
- Instead of being constant, the pain might come and go.
According to the Mayo Clinic, “indigestion” is another name for heartburn.
It doesn’t always feel like the traditional “elephant on the chest” sensation that men frequently talk about for women. Because it’s frequently less severe, it’s simpler to ignore or mistake for acid reflux.
Back, neck, jaw, or shoulder pain
Compared to men, women are more likely to have upper body pain as opposed to just chest pain.
Warning indicators:
- dull, aching pain in the shoulders, back, or jaw.
- pain that radiates down one or both arms.
- You might experience intermittent pain or be awakened at night.
This type of pain is frequently misdiagnosed as arthritis or muscle strain, which delays appropriate treatment.
Indigestion, nausea, or pain in the stomach
Stomach-related symptoms are often confused with the flu or food poisoning, but they can also be serious indicators of a heart attack.
Warning indicators:
- nausea or a feeling of unwellness in your abdomen.
- severe indigestion or unexplained vomiting.
- an uneasy, heavy feeling in the upper abdomen.
People make the crucial mistake of ignoring these symptoms because they resemble stomach bugs or acid reflux.
Dizziness and cold sweats
Your heart may be trying to warn you if you suddenly get a wave of cold sweats that aren’t brought on by heat or exertion.
Warning indicators:
- excessive perspiration that appears suddenly.
- feeling faint, dizzy, or clammy.
- An experience like a panic attack.
Heavy resting sweating is abnormal and may indicate a heart attack, particularly if combined with other symptoms.
Disturbances in sleep
Heart attack victims, particularly women, frequently report having trouble sleeping in the days before the attack.
Warning indicators:
- difficulty getting to sleep or remaining asleep.
- feeling nervous or out of breath when you wake up.
- discomfort or night sweats that keep you from falling asleep.
Although there are numerous reasons why people have trouble sleeping, persistent disruptions may be a sign of a heart condition.
Palpitations in the heart
Stress or excessive caffeine may not be the only cause of a racing, fluttering, or skipping heartbeat.
Warning indicators:
- an erratic or fast heartbeat.
- The sensation of your heart thumping in your chest.
- weakness or dizziness in addition to the heart palpitations.
Frequent or inexplicable irregular heartbeats could indicate heart disease, even though occasional palpitations are normal.
Get in touch with your healthcare provider right away if you encounter any of the aforementioned symptoms, particularly if they appear out of the blue or feel strange.
