In the United States alone, heart disease and heart attacks are responsible for more than 600,000 deaths each year. In nearly three fourths of the cases, the person has warning signs and symptoms that occur before they have an actual heart attack. This is important as recognizing the symptoms of a heart attack can help you avoid it.
While many people know that they should look for the signs of a heart attack, some of the symptoms are difficult to identify. Often, a heart attack can be mistaken for another condition such as a muscle strain, indigestion, and more. Many people know relatives or friends who have thought they were having a heart attack only to be told that it is something else. While this can be embarrassing, it is best to act with caution when it comes to pain. Always seek medical attention if there is a chance it is a heart attack.
Here are 13 common symptoms of a heart attack that if you notice you should always speak to a doctor right away.
1. Chest Pain
Chest pain can be caused by many different things, from indigestion to a cold. Heart attacks are caused by the blood flow to the heart stopping. This causes damage to the muscles in the heart. Typically, chest pain during a heart attack is going to be felt around the area of the heart. However, it is not always felt on the right side of the body. Often times, a person may confuse the pain with fullness or indigestion. However, the pain associated with a heart attack is a bit different.
People who have suffered from a heart attack will often describe the pain in the chest as a squeezing sensation or more of a pressure in the chest area. Just imagine someone hugging you very tightly around your chest or someone sitting directly on your chest. If you are experiencing this type of pain, go to the doctor right away.