Thousands of heart attack cases are reported each year in both young and older adults, highlighting the urgent need for awareness.
"Heart attacks often don't happen suddenly; they are usually preceded by warning signs that we tend to overlook," Dr A Sreenivas Kumar, Sr Consultant Cardiologist, Apollo Hospitals, tells Health Shots. The key symptoms include:
- Persistent chest pain or discomfort
- Shortness of breath
- Pain spreading to the arm, jaw, neck, or back
- Sudden cold sweats
- Unusual or extreme fatigue
- Dizziness or fainting
- Nausea or indigestion-like discomfort
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat
Many people ignore these signals, attributing them to stress or minor ailments. This delay in acknowledging the warning signs can hinder life-saving treatment. Recognising these eight symptoms early can significantly reduce the risk of complications. Awareness, regular health check-ups, and prompt action are your best tools for protecting heart health, as per the American Heart Association.
8 warning signs of an early heart attack
So, what are the specific early warning signs everyone should be aware of? Here are eight critical symptoms:
1. Chest discomfort
The most obvious symptom of a heart attack is discomfort or pain in the chest. This sensation may present as pressure, heaviness, or squeezing. This discomfort typically lasts for more than a few minutes, or it may come and go, as per the American Heart Association. It is vital never to ignore any form of chest pain.
2. Pain that spreads beyond the chest
Heart attack pain is not always localised. It can radiate to the following areas: arms, shoulders, back, neck, jaw and upper stomach. This spreading pain occurs because the nerves serving the heart are interconnected with various regions of the body, as per the American Heart Association. Therefore, if you experience unexplained pain in these areas, especially when accompanied by chest discomfort, take it seriously.
3. Shortness of breath
Experiencing difficulty in breathing, even without chest pain, can signal a heart attack. This condition may manifest as feeling breathless, aggravation of shortness of breath during mild physical activity, or difficulty breathing while resting, as per the American Lung Association. Any sudden or unexplained shortness of breath should prompt immediate medical attention.
4. Cold sweating
If you find yourself sweating profusely and without an apparent cause, such as exercise or hot weather, it could indicate heart trouble. "Many patients describe this sensation as a sudden clammy feeling, often accompanied by uneasiness, " explains the cardiologist. This reaction is caused by the body's stress on the heart and sudden changes in blood flow.
5. Nausea, indigestion, or stomach discomfort
Symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or indigestion can often be mistaken for stomach issues but may signal an impending heart attack. This is particularly true for women, who frequently present with atypical signs, as per the Journal of the American Heart Association. If your "indigestion" feels unusual, particularly if paired with chest heaviness or fatigue, it may be a severe cardiac symptom.
6. Light-headedness or dizziness
Unexplained spells of dizziness, fainting, or light-headedness should not be overlooked. These symptoms suggest that the heart is struggling to pump blood efficiently, reducing the oxygen supply to the brain, as per the AHA journals.
7. Fatigue and weakness
Unexplained fatigue, especially in women, can be an overlooked warning sign of a heart attack. Patients may report severe tiredness even during simple tasks such as climbing stairs, walking short distances, and performing daily chores, as per the journal Respiratory Medicine. If you experience sudden fatigue that feels unusual, do not dismiss it.
8. Rapid or irregular heartbeat
A racing heart or noticeable palpitations, particularly accompanied by chest discomfort or shortness of breath, can be alarming. "While there are many reasons for palpitations, their occurrence alongside other symptoms may suggest a cardiac emergency", shares the cardiologist.
What does chest discomfort indicate?
"If you notice one or more of these symptoms, particularly chest discomfort combined with other warning signs, do not delay", says Dr A Sreenivas Kumar.
- Call emergency services immediately.
- Go to the nearest hospital; never attempt to drive yourself.
- If you have aspirin on hand (and are not allergic, and have been advised by a doctor), taking it may be beneficial in the moments before medical care arrives, but should not replace immediate intervention.
