How to Determine if You're Experiencing a Heart Attack

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about 735,000 people in the U.S. suffer a heart attack each year, with 525,000 of these being their first. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women. Recognizing the early signs and symptoms of a heart attack is crucial to reducing the risk of death and preventing physical disability. Around 47% of sudden deaths caused by heart attacks occur outside of hospitals, highlighting that many still ignore the body's warning signs. Being aware of heart attack symptoms and calling the nearest medical center immediately can reduce the chances of a recurring heart attack and may even save a life.

Be alert to discomfort or pain in the chest area. According to research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 92% of individuals recognize chest pain as a heart attack symptom, yet only 27% are aware of all the symptoms and when to call for emergency help. While chest pain is a primary and common symptom, initially, individuals might mistake it for severe indigestion or heartburn.

• Chest pain from a heart attack feels like someone is squeezing your chest or like a heavy object, such as an elephant, is pressing on your chest. Antacids won't alleviate chest pain caused by a heart attack.
• However, according to research from the Journal of the American Medical Association, studies show that 31% of men and 42% of women do not experience the typical chest pain associated with a heart attack. Diabetic patients are also at higher risk for experiencing less common symptoms.

Pay attention to signs of pain in the upper body. Pain from a heart attack can radiate from the chest to the shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, or jaw. In fact, you may not experience chest pain at all. Toothaches or upper back pain can sometimes be early signs of a heart attack.

Understand that the initial symptoms may be mild. Most heart attacks begin with mild symptoms as described above. However, do not ignore them. If the symptoms do not subside within 5 minutes, you should call for emergency help immediately to receive medical treatment.

Evaluate if the pain is related to angina if you have a history of chest pain. Does your angina pain go away quickly after treatment? Some individuals with coronary artery disease may experience chest pain. This occurs when the heart muscle cannot receive enough oxygen (O2) to support its function. Those with angina may take medication to help expand the arteries and relieve the pain. If the angina pain does not subside quickly even after rest or treatment, it could be a sign of an impending heart attack.

Be cautious of abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting symptoms. Heart attack pain can be felt in the abdominal area. The stomach may feel like heartburn, but it won't improve with antacid medication. You might also feel nausea, vomiting, and not experience chest pain or other flu-like symptoms (viral gastroenteritis).

Call for emergency help immediately if you suspect you're having a heart attack. This is the crucial first step you must take. Do not delay receiving medical care. Getting treatment within the first hour of symptom onset can significantly improve recovery chances and minimize damage to the heart muscle.

• Do not take Aspirin on your own. The emergency doctor will determine whether or not you need to take Aspirin.

Recognizing Atypical Symptoms in Women. Women are more likely to experience atypical symptoms of a heart attack compared to men. Some of these include:

• Sudden weakness.
• Body pain.
• Fatigue, sometimes resembling flu symptoms.
• Sleep disturbances.

Be Alert to Unusual Shortness of Breath. Shortness of breath is a common heart attack symptom that may appear before chest pain. You might feel like your lungs are lacking oxygen or as if you’ve just finished a race.

Be Aware of Mild Headaches, Anxiety, and Sweating. Symptoms of a heart attack can include unexplained feelings of anxiety. You may also experience mild headaches or cold sweats without chest pain or other symptoms.

Be Cautious of an Unusually Fast Heartbeat. If you feel your heart pounding or racing in your chest, like you’re experiencing nervousness, or if your heartbeat changes irregularly, it could be an atypical sign of a heart attack.

Understanding that there are various risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Some factors can be changed through lifestyle adjustments, while others cannot. Once you become aware of the choices that could either increase or reduce the risk of heart disease and heart attacks, you can make more informed and healthier decisions.

Understanding the unchangeable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There are factors that cannot be changed and should be considered when evaluating the risk of a heart attack. These unchangeable risk factors include:

• Age: Men over 45 years and women over 55 years are at higher risk of a heart attack.
• Family history: If close relatives have experienced heart attacks, your risk increases.
• Autoimmune conditions: If you have a history of autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, you are at greater risk of a heart attack.
• Preeclampsia: This is a health condition during pregnancy that can increase the risk of cardiovascular problems later in life.

Understanding the modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease. You can change your lifestyle by adopting positive habits and avoiding negative ones to reduce the following risk factors:

• Smoking: Smoking is an independent risk factor for sudden death from cardiovascular disease in people with coronary artery disease. It also increases the risk of coronary artery disease.
• High blood pressure
• Physical inactivity
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• High cholesterol levels
• Stress and substance abuse

Reducing the risk of a heart attack. Live an active life every day. Try to walk briskly for 15 minutes after lunch and dinner. Follow a healthy diet that is low in salt, trans fats, and carbohydrates, while being rich in healthy unsaturated fats and protein.

• Quit smoking.
• You should follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment and medication if you're at high risk of a heart attack or have recently recovered from one.

Chuẩn bị cho quy trình cấp cứu. Cơn đau tim có thể đe dọa tính mạng nhưng có thể phản ứng tích cực nếu được điều trị sớm và tức thời. Người bệnh có nguy cơ lên cơn đau tim sẽ được chăm sóc ngay lập tức khi ở trong phòng cấp cứu.

Chuẩn bị cho xét nghiệm điện tâm đồ. Điện tâm đồ là xét nghiệm giúp đo hoạt động điện học của tim. Xét nghiệm giúp bác sĩ biết có bao nhiêu cơ bị thương tổn hoặc liệu bạn có đang chuẩn bị lên cơn đau tim hay không. Cơ bị thương tổn sẽ không dẫn điện được như cơ khỏe mạnh bình thường. Hoạt động điện học của tim sẽ được truyền thông qua các điện cực đặt trên ngực và in ra giấy để được đánh giá.

Chuẩn bị cho xét nghiệm máu. Khi cơ tim bị thương tổn do lên cơn đau tim, một số hóa chất sẽ được tiết vào đường máu. Hoá chất Troponin sẽ còn trong máu lên đến 2 tuần, giúp bác sĩ đưa ra phương pháp đánh giá hợp lý xem gần đây bạn có lên cơn đau tim mà chưa được chẩn đoán không.

Chuẩn bị cho quá trình thông tim. Bác sĩ có thể tiến hành thông tim để xác định thêm thông tin về tình trạng tim mạch của bạn. Trong quá trình này, ống thông sẽ được đưa vào mạch máu và vào tim. Ống thông thường được đưa vào thông qua động mạch ở vùng háng. Quy trình này tương đối không gây rủi ro. Trong quá trình thông tim, bác sĩ có thể:

• Chụp X-quang bằng thuốc nhuộm tương phản. Chụp X-quang giúp bác sĩ xác định xem có động mạch nào hẹp hoặc tắc nghẽn không.
• Kiểm tra huyết áp trong các buồng tim.
• Lấy mẫu máu để đo lượng khí O2 trong buồng tim.
• Tiến hành sinh thiết.
• Kiểm tra khả năng bơm hiệu quả của tim.

Prepare for a Stress Test after a Heart Attack Recovery. A few weeks after your heart attack symptoms subside, you may need to undergo a stress test to evaluate how your heart's blood vessels respond to physical activity. You'll be asked to run on a treadmill while connected to an electrocardiogram (ECG) machine to monitor the electrical activity of your heart. This test helps your doctor determine the best long-term treatment plan for your condition.