Body
6 heart attack warning signs you might not know about
Heart attack is the leading cause of death worldwide, so it’s essential for all of us to be aware of the signs – even the not-so-obvious ones. Many fatalities are due to sufferers dismissing the symptoms of an attack as trivial or unthreatening, so it’s important to act at the first sign. Here are six indicators of a heart attack you mightn’t be aware of.
- Dizziness – Heart attacks don’t commonly cause a loss of consciousness, but they may reduce blood flow, preventing oxygen from being transported to the heart and brain, leaving you feeling light-headed.
- Upper-body pain – An attack doesn’t necessarily only cause pain in the heart. Because its nerves are connected all throughout the upper body, you may experience pain in the back, neck, shoulders, arms or jaw.
- Fatigue – Everyone feels unusually sleepy from time to time, but if you’re feeling extremely tired and weak, you may be at risk of a heart attack. In fact, some people reported experiencing extreme fatigue a month before their heart attack took place.
- Sweating – It’s perfectly normal to perspire during menopause or after a workout, but excessive sweating may be indicative of a heart attack.
- Nausea – Unless you think it has been caused by travel or a dodgy meal, it’s worth visiting your GP if you experience sudden, constant nausea.
- Difficulty breathing – Feeling much more short of breath than usual after walking upstairs or exercising? Perhaps even when not exerting yourself at all? Act immediately.