How to recognize a heart attack and what to do next

Knowing the warning signals of a heart attack is crucial because they might differ from person to person. Unaware that they are having a heart attack, some people choose not to seek the immediate medical attention they require. That might cause irreversible heart damage.

Typically, a blocked coronary artery reduces or stops the nourishing blood flow to the heart muscle, resulting in a heart attack.

The most typical symptom of a heart attack is chest discomfort, although other symptoms can vary depending on a person's age and gender.

It's critical to recognize a heart attack as soon as you can and get help right away. Treatment can reduce harm and improve the likelihood of a full recovery.

>>> Read more: Is heart attack mostly damaging men or women?

What are the signs of a heart attack?

• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Upper body pain
• Feeling lightheaded

Signs of a heart attack in females

Females may experience various heart attack symptoms that are less obvious or unrelated to cardiac issues.

With or without chest discomfort, the following typical heart attack symptoms in females include:

• An overall feeling of ill health,
• disturbed sleep,
• abrupt,
• excessive weakness,
• extreme shortness of breath,
• nausea,
• indigestion,
• other digestive troubles,

• and discomfort in the upper or back bodies.

Because chest pain is frequently an indication of heart attacks, females frequently misinterpret their symptoms and put off seeing a doctor.

Everyone must learn to identify heart attack symptoms that may be unusual, especially women, and get emergency medical attention when necessary.

Signs of a heart attack in older adults

Older individuals who have heart attacks may have unusual symptoms, just like females.The majority of heart attacks are silent or asymptomatic.Chest pain in older people is a rare occurrence. A person may have no symptoms and appear to be in reasonably good health during a silent heart attack, with the exception of feeling particularly exhausted or out of breath. They might also exhibit one or more of the symptoms linked to female heart attacks.

>>>Read more:Signs of a heart attack in adults

when to seek immediate medical help?

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, taking immediate action in the event of a heart attack could save a person's life.

Even if someone is unsure whether they are having a heart attack, it is vital to get emergency medical attention to prevent further damage to the heart.

How long does an untreated heart attack last?

Untreated heart attacks may have serious consequences.

If someone thinks they could be having a heart attack, they should always get medical help.

The heart's muscle cells are at a greater risk of being harmed if heart attack symptoms last for longer than 15 minutes.

Less than 90 minutes pass from the onset of symptoms before critical damage levels are reached in an individual.

Testing and diagnosis

Anyone who suspects they are having a heart attack should get help right once.Based on the symptoms, age, general health, and family history, a doctor will make the diagnosis of a heart attack. They will also conduct tests, such as:To assess the electrical activity of the heart, using electrocardiography (ECG), imaging studies, such as chest X-rays and echocardiograms, to measure cardiac markers that suggest heart disease coronary angiography to identify artery blockages.

Treatments

The following procedures may be suggested by doctors if tests reveal that a patient has experienced a heart attack.

Cardiac angioplasty, a treatment that uses a wire mesh tube to support an artery and unblock clogged arteries, bypass surgery to reroute blood flow around the obstruction, artificial heart valve surgery to replace damaged or leaky heart valves, implanted technologies like a pacemaker to help the heart beat regularly.

A doctor may also prescribe drugs to thin the blood, dissolve clots, relax the blood vessels, and lessen pain during a heart attack.