Life-Saving Facts About Heart Attack

Even with today’s medical advances and readily-available information about chest pain and heart attack, some people are still left confused. This is mainly because the symptoms of heart attack are sometimes intermittent, and different people experience various symptoms. Sometimes the symptoms aren’t very obvious, like shortness of breath, chest pain, or cold sweats. In fact, a heart attack can occur without the person knowing it.  

Did you know that someone in the U.S. experiences a heart attack every 40 seconds? It is the leading cause of death for people – regardless of their ethnicity – in the United States. Early action is important. The chances of survival from a heart attack are greater with prompt emergency medical treatment.

With all of these variables, it’s essential that you educate yourself so you can readily identify the symptoms and bring your loved one to your nearest Calallen, Texas emergency room right away.

Here are some fast facts:

• Pain and chest discomfort are the most common symptoms of a heart attack.
• During a heart attack, the blood flow to the heart is blocked, destroying or damaging part of the heart in the process.
• Obesity and smoking are big factors which causes a heart attack.
• The risk of a heart attack increases when a woman is over 55 and a man is over 45 years of age.

Here are three important things that you should know:

1. Everyone is different, and the symptoms may vary

Erin said that she felt a huge weight on her chest, while Aerith said that she thought that it was a bad case of a heartburn. Theo, on the other hand, said that he thought he’d slept on his arm wrong because it is in pain. All three had heart attacks – but their symptoms are different.

Depending on the location and cause, people can experience different symptoms. A good rule of thumb would be to pay attention to your body. if something feels wrong, go to your nearest emergency facility. An ECG will only take a few minutes and could potentially save your life.

2. A heart attack may not be experienced only as a crushing chest pain

It might not even be what you consider as pain. It might be a squeezing sensation, a pressure, or a full feeling.

Other symptoms of a heart attack might include pain in the back, stomach, arms, neck, or jaw. Experiencing shortness of breath, nausea, or cold sweat could also tell you that your heart is having problems.

3. A heart attack may be easy to ignore.

Some symptoms can be subtle and could come and go. Hence, it could be easy to ignore the warning signs. A ‘silent’ heart attack can be as dangerous as its most obvious counterpart. Some may think that they just strained a muscle in their upper back or chest, while others might think that it’s just a bad case of indigestion. If you think you have the symptoms of a silent heart attack, try to stay calm and have a loved one bring you to the emergency room.

Be prepared for any medical emergency

Take a moment to locate your nearest Calallen, Texas emergency room. If you suspect that you you’re having a heart attack, don’t delay. Our board certified doctors and staff at Physicians Premier are here for you 24/7 to accurately diagnose and treat you.