Common Overlooked Heart Attack Symptoms

You’re watching your favorite medical drama. A middle-aged man staggers into the emergency room, clutching his chest. You know what that means: heart attack.

While it’s true that chest pain is a classic symptom of a heart attack, especially in men,. not everyone who has a heart attack feels chest pain. Both women and the elderly are more likely to experience lesser-known heart attack symptoms, such as:
• Shortness of breath
• A general feeling of weakness
• Indigestion, nausea or vomiting
• Dizziness
• Jaw, ear, neck or shoulder pain
• Unexplained fatigue
• Flu-like symptoms

Unfortunately, many of these symptoms can indicate other ailments, which makes patients less likely to think “heart attack.” It’s not unusual for someone who has a milder heart attack to not even realize it. Tests can reveal that you’ve had a heart attack well after the event. A report in the Journal of the American Heart Association indicated that patients with a high threshold of pain are more likely to experience a “silent” heart attack – a heart attack that goes unrecognized. Likewise, diabetics may be at a higher risk of having a silent attack, because diabetes can deaden nerves and make them less sensitive to pain.

Heart-attack victims sometimes describe a vague overall feeling that something is “not right.” Don’t be afraid to visit your nearest emergency care center if you feel that something’s off. And be sure to talk to your doctor about any unusual symptoms. No one knows what feels normal for you better than you!

If you do experience heart problems, Covenant Center for the Heart is here for you, with over two dozen heart specialists and the most advanced technology and surgical procedures. Learn more about our cardiac care.

Posted Date: 2/14/2018