The first hour of a heart attack is known as the "golden hour." If you get help during that first hour, your chances of recovery are greatly improved. Yet many people hesitate to get help when they first experience symptoms. They're afraid of the embarrassment of going to the emergency room and finding that nothing is wrong. So, it is important that you know the symptoms that may indicate that a heart attack is in progress.
Many of the symptoms of heart attack can be brought on by digestive disturbances or other less serious conditions. But only sophisticated medical tests can determine for sure if you're having a heart attack. Heart attacks may vary from person to person, and from heart attack to heart attack. Women, for example, may experience "atypical' symptoms such as pain between the shoulder blades rather than crushing chest pain. This may result in them delaying seeking treatment. That is a great mistake.
Heart attack is one instance where getting treatment promptly can mean the difference between life and death. If you are in doubt, err on the side of being more cautious and go to the emergency room and get yourself checked. We will try to describe some of the most common characteristics of heart attack here. Before that we will introduce the other pain called angina which is often precursor to a heart attack.
Angina Pectoris or Angina
Angina pectoris is a precursor to a heart attack. Usually, what happens is this: During physical exertion, during stress or an emotionally charged situation, in cold weather or after a big meal, the heart beats faster. Heart requires more oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscle to maintain the beating. But if the channels by which the blood and oxygen flow to the heart are narrowed, not enough nutrients get to the heart muscle tissue. It suffers oxygen deficiency, and the heart tells you about this with a pain called angina pectoris.
Early signals of heart attack
· Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the chest, usually lasting longer than two minutes
· Pain radiating to the shoulders, neck, jaw, arms, or back
· Dizziness, fainting, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, or weakness
None of these symptoms assures that a heart attack is in progress, but the more symptoms you have, the more likely it is a heart attack.
Other Symptoms of Heart Attack
· Chest pressure
· Sweating
· Jaw pain
· Heartburn and/or indigestion
· Arm pain (more commonly the left arm, but may be either)
· Upper back pain
· General malaise (vague feeling of illness)
· Nausea
· Shortness of breath
What Should You Do If You Suspect You Are Having A Heart Attack
· Stop whatever you're doing and sit down or lie down.
· Take up to three nitroglycerin tablets-one at a time at five- minute intervals or as prescribed by your doctor. If the pain does not go away, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately.
· If you do not have nitroglycerin and have had symptoms for two minutes or more, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. Then take an aspirin unless you are allergic to aspirin.
· If you can get to the hospital faster by car, have someone drive you. Do not drive yourself to the hospital.
· When you get to the hospital, do not permit emergency room personnel to keep you waiting. Tell them that you may be suffering from heart attack and that you need to be seen immediately.
Do Not Minimize Your Symptoms.
Do Not Delay.
Waiting more than fifteen minutes to see if the pain goes away can result in permanent damage to your heart. At worst, it can cost you your life.
