Heart attacks occur when the blood supply that normally nourishes the heart with oxygen is cut off and the heart muscle begins to die. Some people who are having a heart attack have warning signs, while others show no signs. Some of the common signs of a heart attack include chest pain, sweating, nausea, fatigue or trouble breathing. There is an unusual sign that lies on a person’s fingernails indicating a potential heart attack.

READ MORE

• Coronavirus treatment: Avoid this medicine as it won’t help

When a heart attack occurs, it can disrupt a person’s normal heart rhythm, potentially stopping it altogether.

When the heart stops getting a supply of blood during a heart attack, some of the tissue can die.

This can weaken the heart and later cause life-threatening conditions such as heart failure.

Heart attacks can affect the heart valve and cause leaks.

Keeping healthy and active are some of the best methods to reduce having a heart attack and spotting early signs is also crucial.

Clubbing is changes in the areas under and around the toenails and fingernails that occur with some disorders.

Clubbed fingers is a symptom of disease, often of the heart or lungs which chronically low blood levels of oxygen.

Common symptoms of clubbing include:

• The nail beds soften
• The nails may seem to “float” instead of being firms attached
• The nails form a sharper angle with the cuticle
• The last part of the finger may appear large or bulging. It may also be warm and red
• The nail curves downward so it looks like the round part of an upside-down spoon.

Mount Sinai said on its website: “Clubbing can develop quickly, often within weeks. It also can go away quickly when its cause is treated.

“Clubbing often occurs in heart and lung diseases that reduce the amount of oxygen in the blood.

“These may include heart defects that are present at birth.”

According to Mayo Clinic, nail clubbing is sometimes the result of low oxygen levels in the blood, and is associated with heart disease.

Nail clubbing occurs when the tips of the fingers enlarge and the nails curve around the fingertips, usually over the course of years.

Nail clubbing is also associated with inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and AIDS, explains the health site.

READ MORE

• Paddy McGuinness health: Presenter’s shock diagnosis at the age of 44

What are the main symptoms of a heart attack

The NHS said symptoms of a heart attack can include:

• Chest pain – a sensation of pressure, tightness or squeezing in the centre of your chest
• Pain in other parts of the body – it can feel as if the pain is travelling from your chest to your arms (usually the left arm is affected, but it can affect both arms), jaw, neck, back and tummy (abdomen)
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Sweating
• Shortness of breath
• Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)
• An overwhelming sense of anxiety (similar to having a panic attack)
• coughing or wheezing

The health body adds: “Although the chest pain is often severe, some people may only experience minor pain, similar to indigestion.

“In some cases, there may not be any chest pain at all, especially in women, older people, and people who have diabetes.

“It’s the overall pattern of symptoms that helps to determine whether you are having a heart attack.”

Source: Read Full Article