Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death for all genders. So raising awareness about the symptoms of heart attacks can be one way to save a life.
Medically reviewed by John Paul Abrina, MD · Oncology · Davao Doctors Hospital
Heart attacks are one of the leading causes of death for all genders. So raising awareness about the symptoms of heart attacks can be one way to save a life.
Heart attacks, despite being serious medical emergencies, can be reversed especially if treated is provided as soon as possible.
A heart attack, also referred to as a myocardial infarction, occurs when not enough blood is supplied to the heart. As time goes by, this lack of blood can lead to irreversible damage to the heart muscle.
Heart attacks usually occur due to a disruption in the blood flow leading to the heart. The arteries, specifically the coronary arteries, are responsible for supplying the heart with oxygen-rich blood.
However, plaque can build up in the coronary arteries, which can significantly reduce the flow of blood. The accumulation of plaque in the arteries can result in a condition known as atherosclerosis.
Men are more likely to experience classic heart attack symptoms, such as:
Some describe this feeling as a sort of tightening or squeezing feeling, some describe it as having something heavy set upon your chest. The pain may also come and go.
Feeling your heart beat too fast or too slow is a key symptom of heart attack. This condition is also known as arrhythmia.
In most cases, those who suffer heart attacks complain of a soreness in their upper body, specifically the arms, stomach, back, neck, or jaw.
Being out of breath is one of the more common symptoms of heart attack, and is also referred to as dyspnea.
All three of this symptoms could be signaling an impending heart attack in men.
Although women can still experience the heart attack symptoms that men do, they can also suffer from atypical symptoms such as:
Women who suffer from heart attacks may also show symptoms weeks or months before suffering from the attack itself, which gives them more time to actually seek treatment.
Although more men suffer from heart attacks, the mortality rate is higher among women.
This is likely due to widespread misinformation that women are unlikely to get heart attacks.
If you are a woman, it can pay to learn about the symptoms of heart attack and your risk of cardiovascular disease because:
Understanding your risk and learning about the usual and unusual symptoms of heart attacks can mean the difference between life and death.
This is especially true for women, who are much more vulnerable to heart attacks compared to men. It’s important to remember that in the event of a heart attack, timely response is key.
Recognizing the early warning signs of a heart attack may just save someone else’s life, or your own.
Learn more about heart attacks, here.
Disclaimer
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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