Major Risk Factors You Can Control
Smoking: Research shows that smoking increases your risk of heart attack. In fact, even people who inhale second-hand smoke are an increased risk.
High blood cholesterol: Higher cholesterol score is correlated as having higher chances of heart attack.
A low-density-lipoprotein is considered good for your heart health.
Keep in mind that a diet high in trans fats and saturated fats can increase your LDL cholesterol.
The other kind of cholesterol is high-density-lipoprotein cholesterol.
Higher levels are better. Low levels put you at greater risk of heart disease.
Smoking and being overweight can result in lower HDL cholesterol.
Triglycerides: These are the most common type of fat in the body, and a high triglyceride level combined with a low HDL cholesterol or high LDL cholesterol is associated with atherosclerosis.
High blood pressure: Having high blood pressure puts more pressure on the heart making it worker harder.
This can increase your risk of stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, and congestive heart failure.
Physical inactivity: An inactive lifestyle can be a significant risk factor for coronary heart disease.
Regular, moderate exercise can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Obesity and being overweight: Excess body weight means the heart works harder to push blood around the body.
This can often co-occur with high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
What Should I Do If I Think Im Having A Heart Attack
The first thing you must do is dial 999 immediately for an ambulance. Dont worry if youre not completely sure whether your symptoms are a heart attack, its really important that you seek medical attention regardless as quickly as possible.
Next, you should:
- take a 300mg aspirin if you have one within arms reach
- stay calm and wait for the paramedics.
People often dismiss that theyre having a heart attack and will delay seeking medical attention. If youre with someone whos experiencing heart attack symptoms but theyre putting off or refusing to call an ambulance, its really important that you call one for them.
How Long Do Heart Attack Symptoms Last
Posted by:Advanced Cardiology of Newmarket
If youre having a heart attack, how long does the chest pain last? Can it go on all day long?
According to the Mayo Clinic, heart attack symptoms often dont follow the classic pattern we see on television with a sudden onset pain. They can be much more subtle and sometimes begin with warning pains in the chest or other symptoms days or even weeks before the actual attack.
Typically, however, if youre having a heart attack, the severe pain lasts for about 15-20 minutes and then can linger for some time after. Im only a layperson though, and you should definitely talk to a doctor if youre having chest pain, or go to the ER if necessary.
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What Is Mild Heart Attack
A heart attack is a condition in which the blood flow to the heart is interrupted. The reason for this is the fat cholesterol deposited in the blood arteries. In such a situation, if the blockage of blood arteries is not removed on time, then it leads to lack of oxygen and the heart tissue starts dying. At the same time, during a mild heart attack, only a small part of the heart is affected, which does not cause permanent damage to the heart.
This is because in a mild heart attack, a blockage occurs in a small blood artery that is responsible for reduced blood flow. In this, the blood circulation is not completely blocked in the artery. Because of which its symptoms appear only for some time. But this does not mean at all that a mild heart attack cannot be dangerous. Rather, it can lead to heart failure, abnormal heartbeat, and other heart attacks. Let us know some symptoms of this mild heart attack.
Can You Have Symptoms Of A Heart Attack For Days
Not all individuals who have heart attacks have similar manifestations or have a similar seriousness of side effects. A few people may have mellow torment others have more extreme pain. A few people have no signs at all, while for others, the main sign might lead to cardiac arrest. In any case, the more signs and indications you have, the more probability you have of suffering a heart attack.
Many nerves all through the heart and the gastrointestinal track send a similar signal to the mind, chest pain. In the case of the heart and stomach, you cannot tell promptly where the issue is. Wounds to the heart, pancreas, lungs, throat, or stomach may all lead to comparable pain that appears to start from the chest.
So, presently the question is if you are showing symptoms of heart attack, to what extent does the chest pain last? Would it be able to go on throughout the month or a day or for few minutes?
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How Can You Prevent A Heart Attack
To help prevent a heart attack, it is important to:
- Understand the risk factors and see a doctor for early diagnosis and early heart attack treatment
- Learn the signs and symptoms
- Know the differences in the way heart attacks occur in men and women
- Take the Early Heart Attack Care pledge to save a life
- Be alert for a heart attack in yourself or someone in your vicinity becoming an active bystander could save a life.
- When in doubt, call . First responders have the medical technology to quickly save a life.
Does Gallbladder Pain Come And Go
Initially, gallbladder pain usually comes and goes. The pain can be mild, occurring at irregular intervals and then become severe and frequent. Gallbladder pain caused by gallstones generally occurs after eating, lasting for several hours and then resolving. This occasional recurrence of dull pain is the most common sign that you have gallstones.
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Heart Attack Warning Signs For Women
While chest pain is often a symptom of a heart attack among women, the pain is often described as pressure or tightness instead of the heavy weight on the chest pain that men describe.
In some cases, there may only be other symptoms and very little or no chest pain.
Women are also more likely than men to experience nontraditional heart attack symptoms, such as:
- unusual or extreme fatigue, which may develop several days before other symptoms and may make you feel like youre coming down with the flu
- pain or discomfort in the upper abdomen that may feel like heartburn or indigestion
- throat and jaw pain, often without any chest pain
- symptoms that come on gradually
Women are often reluctant to seek medical attention for heart attack symptoms, partly because of delays in recognizing heart attack symptoms since theyre not commonly talked about.
While women are slightly less likely than men to have heart attacks before menopause, the odds essentially are equal after menopause.
First Signs Of A Heart Attack
Heart attacks dont always come on suddenly and drop you to your knees.
In fact, many people have heart attacks and dont even realize it, carrying on after a quick burst of pain in their back or neck, chest or shoulder.
You may have some symptoms that arent explained leading up to a heart attack, such as unexplained fatigue, anxiety, or fear of impending doom .
You may have nausea or vomiting that doesnt seem to be related to anything. You might also experience shortness of breath off and on without cause.
For instance, if you are seated and suddenly feel out of breath, it could be a sign that a heart attack could occur.
Of course, symptoms can be related to any number of conditions or nothing at all, but if you experience any of these or several together, it might be worth looking into or at least keeping an eye on how you feel in the coming days.
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What Is Chest Pain
When medical professionals talk about chest pain, they’re talking about the pain and discomfort that can be an early sign of heart attack. There are many ways to describe this pain, including tightness or unusual pressure in the center of the chest.
While pain can radiate to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back, people often mistake this pain for indigestion, which can be dangerous.
Because heart attack symptoms in women can be so subtle, heart attacks in women frequently go unrecognized. Unfortunately, treatment is sought long after symptoms are initially felt.
If you’re experiencing the heart attack symptoms listed here, call 911 immediately.
Breaking Out In A Cold Sweat
Another common symptom is finding yourself breaking out in a cold sweat. The reason behind this symptom is that when you have clogged arteries, your heart requires more effort to pump blood, and sweating keeps your bodys temperature down during this extra effort.
For women, this means night sweats may not just be the result of menopause. They might also be a sign of heart problems.
If you experience any of these symptoms, make sure to consult your physician. Dont wait until it becomes urgent.
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Heart Attack Symptoms And Warning Signs
A heart attack happens when an artery that feeds oxygen-rich blood to the heart becomes obstructed. The heart muscle begins to die, and heart attack symptoms begin.
- Sudden shortness of breath.
- Sudden sweating or flu-like symptoms, including nausea, clamminess or cold sweats.
- Unusual fatigue, light-headedness, weakness or dizziness.
- Pain that radiates. Men and women often experience this pain differently, as explained below.
- Intermittent pain that lasts more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. This sensation can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing or fullness.
- Anxiety or a feeling of doom.
- If you have angina: Any change in the frequency, duration or intensity of symptoms, which do not respond to nitroglycerin.
Silent Heart Attack Symptoms
A silent heart attack is like any other heart attack, except it occurs without the usual symptoms. In other words, you may not even realize youve experienced a heart attack.
In fact, researchers from Duke University Medical Center have estimated that as many as 200,000 Americans experience heart attacks each year without even knowing it. Unfortunately, these events cause heart damage and increase the risk of future attacks.
Silent heart attacks are more common among people with diabetes and in those whove had previous heart attacks.
Symptoms that may indicate a silent heart attack include:
- mild discomfort in your chest, arms, or jaw that goes away after resting
- shortness of breath and tiring easily
- sleep disturbances and increased fatigue
- abdominal pain or heartburn
- skin clamminess
After having a silent heart attack, you may experience more fatigue than before or find that exercise becomes more difficult. Get regular physical exams to stay on top of your heart health. If you have cardiac risk factors, talk to your doctor about getting tests done to check the condition of your heart.
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Shortness Of Breath And Dizziness
If you feel breathless after just climbing the stairs and feel like youve run a long marathon, it could be a sign that your heart isnt working properly. In addition to shortness of breath or dizziness, chest pain and other symptoms can also indicate a heart attack. These symptoms can be seen in both men and women. However, such symptoms are more visible in women.
What Is The Fastest Way To Relieve Gallbladder Pain
If you are struggling with gallbladder pain due to gallstones, the most common solution is the removal of the gallbladder. Today, this can be done laparoscopically, with only a small incision. Once the gallbladder is removed, gallstones have no place to form thus eliminating the risk of pain caused by the hardening of bile. Before the operation, many doctors prescribe morphine to treat a patients acute pain.
There are a couple of non-surgical options that patients experiencing gallbladder pain can try. Some have found relief using these methods, but they are not considered as effective as removing the gallbladder:
- Oral bile acid pills: The active agents contained in these pills are ursodiol and chenodiol which can help desaturate the bile of cholesterol and gradually dissolve the stone.
- Bile salts: These are naturally produced by your liver and secreted into your bile ducts and gallbladder to make it easier for your body to absorb and digest fats youve eaten. Bile salts can also be taken in pill form.
- Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy : Although usually used as a treatment for kidney stones, ECSWL can also be used to break up gallstones by sending shock waves through the soft tissues of a patients body. However, its generally considered only effective for gallstones less than two centimeters in diameter.
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Waiting For An Ambulance
It may be helpful to take an aspirin tablet, ideally 300 milligrams, while waiting for an ambulance. A person can take an aspirin tablet if they do not have an allergy to it and if a doctor or member of the emergency services team has recommended it.
Aspirin is a blood-thinning medication that may help restore some blood flow to the heart.
A person should make sure that they have taken any prescribed heart medication as instructed while they are waiting for the ambulance to arrive. These medications may include nitroglycerin or beta-blockers.
Chest Muscle Cramp During Weightlifting
Pain in the chest that occurs with exertion isnt always caused by a heart issue. The exertion such as deadlifting a heavy barbell can cramp the chest muscle even though the chest is not targeted during this movement.
The chest muscle is an antagonist to the back musculature when the back muscles are being activated.
This can also happen from straining to do a pull-up. The pectoralis muscle group cramps up and has nothing to do with the heart.
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Early Symptoms Of A Heart Attack
The sooner you get help for a heart attack, the better your chances for a complete recovery. Unfortunately, many people hesitate to get help, even if they suspect theres something wrong.
Doctors, however, overwhelmingly encourage people to get help if they suspect theyre experiencing early heart attack symptoms.
Even if youre wrong, going through some testing is better than suffering long-term heart damage or other health issues because you waited too long.
Heart attack symptoms vary from person to person and even from one heart attack to another. The important thing is to trust yourself. You know your body better than anyone. If something feels wrong, get emergency care right away.
According to the Society of Cardiovascular Patient Care, early heart attack symptoms occur in 50 percent of all people who have heart attacks. If youre aware of the early symptoms, you may be able get treatment quickly enough to prevent heart damage.
Eighty-five percent of heart damage happens in the first two hours following a heart attack.
Early symptoms of heart attack can include the following:
- mild pain or discomfort in your chest that may come and go, which is also called stuttering chest pain
- pain in your shoulders, neck, and jaw
- sweating
Some Considerations About Angina
You cant rule out angina just because chest pain occurs during rest.
In severe cases of coronary artery disease, chest pain can spontaneously occur, even when watching TV.
However, this unstable form of angina will also mean that the patient will frequently experience the same kind of discomfort with physical exertion.
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Symptoms For A Heart Attack
I also will be looking to see how closely your symptoms resemble the typical signs of a heart attack:
The challenge of identifying the cause of chest pain symptoms can be complex. That’s why if you do have chest pain seek medical attention immediately rather than checking Google for answers. Matters of the heart are often more than a mouse-click away.
Another Reason Your Chest May Hurt
That pain in your chest could be linked to another kind of attack that has nothing to do with your heart.
A panic attack or anxiety can reveal itself with symptoms chest tightness, sweating, shortness of breath that mimic those of a heart attack. There are some key differences between a panic attack and a heart attack, though.
- Many heart attacks follow physical strain or exertion, an indicator not typically connected to panic attacks.
- Panic attacks often feature a stabbing pain as opposed to the elephant-on-your-chest squeezing feeling that often accompanies a heart attack.
- Pain from heart attacks frequently radiates to other areas. In a panic attack, it usually stays in the chest area.
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Heart Attack Symptoms: Women Vs Men
Women may experience classic symptoms such as chest pain and shortness of breath as many men do, but they also tend to experience stomach pain, back pain, and other non-classic symptoms.
Because of the subtlety in those symptoms, many women brush off these warning signs and already have heart damage by the time they get to the Emergency Department.
And many women put their families before their own health. But you cant take care of your loved ones if your own health is not where it needs to be.
Prepare For The Worst And Hope For The Best: Signs And Symptoms Of A Heart Attack
Heart disease remains one of the leading killers in the world.
With obesity levels on the rise and more people being diagnosed with medical conditions than ever before, the strain on our bodies continues to increase.
We are more stressed out than humans have ever been before. We work harder than we ever have before. Our jobs are more demanding and we spend less time at home than we ever did before.
No wonder people are suffering heart attacks all around us. People in their twenties are starting to have heart attacks now.
With anxiety, depression, and dwindling economic status, people are getting older before their time.
But if you know what to look for and you get help fast enough, you can come through a heart attack.
Not everyone survives, but not everyone dies either. There is hope. Heres what to look for if you think you or someone you know is having a heart attack.
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