Heart Attack
Heart attack symptoms
Symptoms of a heart attack include:
- Chest pain (tightness, heaviness)
- Body parts pain usually limbs
- Dizziness or lightheaded
- Sweating
- Sick
- Shortness of breath
- Anxiety attack or panic attack
- Coughing or wheezing
Chest pains are often severe, but a few people may only experience minor pain like indigestion.
Though chest pain is a standard symptom for both men and women during a heart attack, women are more likely to undergo other symptoms like back or jaw pain, shortness of breath, and feeling sick. Call for immediate help; the chances of survival depend on how fast you act.
Heart attacks treatments
The treatments for a heart attack entirely depend on how severe it is. But the two primary treatments are:
- Dissolve blood clots using medicines
- Restore blood to the heart with surgery
Heart attack causes
The primary reason for heart attacks is coronary heart disease (CHD). CHD is a condition where the primary blood vessels that supply the heart get clotted or clogged by cholesterol, known as plaques. One of the plaques bursts before a heart attack to cause a blood clot to trigger a heart attack.
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Heart attack prevention
Following are the five significant steps to reduce the risks of having a heart attack:
- Quit smoking
- Proper exercise (at least 150 minutes a week)
- Reduce weight if you are obese
- Change your diet to low-fat and high-fiber
- Don’t abuse alcohol; make sure you are consuming moderately
To explore your health concerns in detail and receive expert advice, you can easily access our free doctor consultation service, designed to provide you with the support you need.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 23 JUNE 2022