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what is the symptoms of heart attack
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Cardiac & Vascular Health
Question #20042
50 days ago
112

what is the symptoms of heart attack - #20042

Khushi

I am a little worried cuz my uncle had a heart attack last year and now I keep thinking about heart attacks and what the symptoms of heart attack actually are. Like, he said he felt some kind of pressure in his chest but also had this intense pain in his arm. I can’t help but wonder—are those the typical symptoms of heart attack?? I’ve also heard people mention shortness of breath and nausea, but I’m not sure if that always happens. The other day, I was feeling kind of anxious and I had this weird tingling in my left arm—I freaked out and thought maybe it was something serious! Should I have gone to see someone right away, or could it be just stress? Just to add to the confusion, I read that not everyone experiences the same sort of symptoms of heart attack, which makes things even more nerve-racking. Like, how do you even know if you’re having one or just overreacting? My grandma had some heart issues too, and I really don’t want this to be a family thing. What is the symptoms of heart attack that I should really pay attention to? Any insight would be super helpful!

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Doctors' responses

Heart attack symptoms can indeed vary, but there are several common ones to be aware of. Chest discomfort or pain, often described as a feeling of pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the center or left side of the chest, is a classic sign. This discomfort may last for more than a few minutes or may go away and come back. Pain or discomfort can also manifest in other areas such as the shoulders, neck, arms, back, teeth, or jaw. Your uncle mentioning intense pain in his arm is quite typical for some individuals. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, nausea, cold sweat, and lightheadedness. These can occur with or without chest discomfort. Shortness of breath sometimes precedes chest pain, but it can also occur without chest discomfort at all. Nausea and cold sweat might likewise present, adding to the constellation of symptoms.

Since these symptoms can mimic other conditions, like stress or panic attacks, which might explain your tingling sensation, it can be hard to differentiate without professional input. If you’re ever in doubt, seeking medical advice immediately is the right call, as time is crucial during a heart attack. Sudden, unusual, severe discomfort deserves prompt evaluation by a doctor, either through an immediate emergency department visit or a call to emergency services. It’s also important to consider your personal and family history concerning heart issues, as genetics can indeed increase risk. Managing personal risk factors, like high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and lifestyle choices (diet, exercise, no smoking), coupled with regular medical checkups could be beneficial in reducing your risk and anxiety surrounding this issue. If stress or anxiety is frequent, speaking with a health professional about these concerns might also help solidify what symptoms need attention and differentiate them from those arising from stress or panic.

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