A heart attack is known as a myocardial infection in medical terms and usually occurs in the condition when a part of the heart muscle does not get enough blood. The blood flow in the heart is blocked and reduced due to the accumulation of fat, cholesterol, and other substances in the heart. These deposits and accumulation of fat are called plaques. These plaques are responsible for rupturing and forming the clot that further blocks the blood flow. As a result, there is a lack of blood flow that results in damaging and destroying part of the heart muscle.
A heart attack is considered a life-threatening medical emergency. As soon as the individuals get appropriate medical treatment that results in restoring normal blood flow to the heart, a greater chance of successful outcomes is observed. Book an appointment with us at our Cardiology Hospital in Kolkata for the best treatment.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Some of the common symptoms of heart attack are discussed below:
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Discomfort in the chest and pain
The chest pain and discomfort cause tight aches, pressure, fullness, and squeezing within the chest to last for more than a few minutes. These types of discomfort usually do not persist permanently and keep on coming and going.
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Pain in the upper body region
The occurrence of pain and discomfort can spread beyond the chest region to the other body parts such as shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, and jaw. Some individuals are observed to have upper body pain with no chest discomfort.
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Shortness of breath
An individual is observed gasping for breath or trying to take deep breaths, which occur mainly due to discomfort in the chest. Some people do not have chest discomfort.
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Anxiety
Individuals tend to feel that they are having some kind of panic attack for no apparent reason.
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Lightheadedness
Along with the feeling of chest pressure, an individual may feel quite dizzy and tend to pass out soon.
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Sweating
The individual may feel sweating along with a feeling of cold and clammy skin.
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Nausea and Vomiting
An individual feels sick to the stomach, which results in vomiting.
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Heart Palpitations
An individual may feel that their heart is skipping beats and they may be aware that their heart is beating at a faster rate than normal.
Other symptoms of a heart attack include:
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Fatigue
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Heartburn or indigestion
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Severe weakness
Angina: Obscure Symptom of Heart Attack
It is a symptom of a heart attack and occurs in the form of a condition or disease. Sensations may occur due to normal activities or other exertion and later fade away after resting. The condition of angina is identified by the following signs:
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Pressure, pain, squeezing, and a sense of fullness within the center of the chest region.
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Pain and discomfort in the shoulder, arm, back, neck, and jaw.
Symptoms of a Heart Attack vary between Men and Women
Individuals most often experience a mix of heart attack symptoms regardless of sex and gender. The symptoms of a heart attack vary from person to person. Women who are at risk of getting a heart attack should include symptoms such as:
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Unusual fatigue
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Shortness of breath
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Nausea or Vomiting
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Dizziness or lightheadedness
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Discomfort within the gut, resulting in indigestion
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Discomfort in the neck region, shoulder, and upper back.
Symptoms of Heart Attack differ among individuals having Diabetes
In some cases of heart attacks, no symptoms are observed among the individuals. This case is known as "silent myocardial infarction" and is often found more commonly among individuals who have diabetes. Hence, individuals who have diabetes do not experience any of the typical symptoms associated with a heart attack. Consult with the Cardiologist in Kolkata to be sure that you are not at risk of a heart attack.
The development of neuropathy is considered the most common complexity of diabetes, which tends to damage the nerves and interfere with the capability of feeling chest pain caused by a heart attack. It is considered important that people with diabetes need to maintain their blood sugar levels and should undergo regular check-ups of their cholesterol levels to manage the complexities of diabetes and prevent heart attack risks.
Dr. Prof. Partha Sarathi Banerjee
Consultant - Cardiology
Manipal Hospitals, Salt Lake, Kolkata
