Dr Chris looks at how your ears may indicate risk of heart disease
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A heart attack is a serious medical emergency whereby the supply of blood to the heart is suddenly blocked, usually by a blood clot. Most people know to look out for chest pain. According to the NHS, the chest can feel like it’s being pressed or squeezed by a heavy object, and pain can radiate from the chest to the jaw, neck, arms and back. However, this is the only symptom to look out for.
In fact, there are a host of possible warning signs and failing to grasp the full extent could be life-threatening.
According to health body Doctors Hospital, sour taste in the mouth is a lesser-known warning sign.
Chronic or severe indigestion without burping, belching and heartburn can also indicate you’re having a heart attack.
Other telltale signs include:
- Breaking out in a sweat for no apparent reason, nausea/vomiting or severe indigestion with transient weakness
- Unusual fatigue or sleeplessness
- Shortness of breath.
Pain levels can also vary from person to person.
“For some people the pain or tightness in their chest is severe, while other people just feel uncomfortable, or pain similar to indigestion,” explains the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
Heart attack symptoms can also persist over days, or they can come on suddenly and unexpectedly, notes the BHF.
There is a common misconception that men and women experience different symptoms when having a heart attack.
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“While symptoms vary from person to person, there are no symptoms that women experience more or less often than men,” explains the BHF.
How to respond
If you suspect the symptoms of a heart attack, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance.
Do not worry if you have doubts.
As the NHS points out, paramedics would rather be called out to find an honest mistake has been made than be too late to save a person’s life.
“If you have had a heart attack, it’s important that you rest while you wait for an ambulance, to avoid unnecessary strain on your heart,” advises the health body.
If aspirin is available AND you are not allergic to it, slowly chew and then swallow an adult-size tablet (300mg) while you wait for the ambulance, it advises.
Aspirin helps to thin your blood and improve blood flow to your heart.
How to prevent a heart attack
Making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack (or having another heart attack).
According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should choose foods low in saturated fat, trans fat, and sodium.
To do this you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, fibre-rich whole grains, fish (preferably oily fish-at least twice per week), nuts, legumes and seeds and try eating some meals without meat, the AHA advises.
Limit sugar-sweetened beverages and red meat, and, if you choose to eat meat, select the leanest cuts available, it advises.
The other key preventative measure is to be physically active.
“Being active and doing regular exercise will lower your blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition,” explains the NHS.
As the health body notes, regular exercise can also help you lose weight, which will help to lower your blood pressure – a heart attack precursor.
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