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Warning Signs
of a eart Attack
H
Brett Dault
It may seem as if a heart attack comes out of the blue , but there are numerous symptoms which can sound the alert -- if you know what to watch for . The trouble is , these danger signs aren ' t necessarily the symptoms you ' ve been warned about . Here are some early warning signs which could save a life -- yours or that of someone you love . Although these symptoms are often caused by problems other than an impending heart attack , if you notice them occurring , be sure to promptly notify your physician .
Rapid , pounding , or irregular heartbeat Sudden , unexplained episodes of rapid , irregular heartbeat and pulse can predate a heart attack by weeks or months . Skipped beats or arrhythmias which aren ' t accompanied by an increase in heart rate are less serious , though they still need medical attention . However , an irregular heartbeat accompanied by an increase in the number of beats per minute -- what ' s known as supraventricular and ventricular tachycardia -- can indicate a serious problem . Ventricular tachycardia is closely associated with sudden death , particularly after exercise , so it ' s important to get help fast .
Top clues : The symptoms are easy to confuse with a panic attack . Your heart may feel like it ' s pounding , as if you ' d just run for the bus or had a terrible fright . And the episodes are likely to come on suddenly . Typically , there ' s no obvious trigger for the sudden heartbeat acceleration and arrhythmia , but there is a type of ventricular tachycardia that ' s triggered by vigorous exercise in someone with heart disease . When these episodes last longer than a minute or two , dizziness and weakness may follow .
What to do : Call the doctor right away .
Nausea , stomachache , and indigestion If you ' ve been battling stomachache , nausea , or indigestion without any obvious cause , you might be mistakenly attributing cardiovascular symptoms to a gastrointestinal problem . Blockages of fatty deposits in an artery can reduce or cut off the blood supply to the heart , causing angina , which feels like squeezing , cramping , or pain . Although most people associate angina with chest pain , in many cases the body sends those pain signals down into the abdomen . Poor circulation and lack of oxygen circulating in the blood ( caused by a weak heart or blocked arteries ) can lead to ongoing nausea , indigestion , or vomiting , particularly in women or those over 60 .
Top clues : The pain worsens with exertion and gets better with rest . You ' ve been relying on antacids , anti-nausea medication , or other indigestion remedies for more than a few days . The symptoms are episodic , easing and then returning , rather than feeling like one long bout of indigestion .
What to do : If your nausea symptoms are being brought on by physical activity , don ' t delay in contacting your doctor , and ask about being evaluated for angina and coronary artery disease . If your indigestion symptoms aren ' t related to exertion , keep an eye on them . You ' ll still want to eventually get a checkup for further evaluation and treatment .
Extreme fatigue A sense of crushing fatigue which lasts for days , weeks , or even months can signal heart trouble months before a heart attack occurs . This isn ' t run-of-the-mill fatigue but the debilitating kind you ' d typically associate with having the flu .
36 | WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE | FEBRUARY 2017