Heart Attack Symptoms: How to Spot the Killer

A myocardial infarction is one of the top killers of our society today, having caused half a million deaths in the U.S. alone. Statistics have shown that 14 millio
Americans have experienced a heart attack at least once in their lives. We all know that this is a serious disease, and we all should take measures to avoid it.

It is actually fairly easy to prevent the occurrence of a heart attack. You will only need regular exercise, a healthy diet, a clean lifestyle, and a stress-free environment. Actually, studies have shown that most attacks happen during Monday mornings - the start of a very stressful workweek. Since stress is something that we all cannot avoid, we have to do well with the other three preventive methods: diet, exercise, and clean lifestyle. Say goodbye to smoking, alcohol, and fast food.

Deaths caused by heart attacks are mostly due to a delay in treatment. With the advances that we have in the medical field right now, deaths are really preventable IF you get medical attention right away. In order for you to do that, you should know which symptoms of myocardial infarction you should look out for. The following would be the telltale signs of an impending attack:

• Chest pains

Some people mistake these for just plain indigestion or heartburn. That is one of the top reasons why there is a delay in treatment. They would try to self-medicate with antacids when what they truly need is emergency heart attack treatment. Medical professionals will tell you that it is very different from heartbu
because in chest pain associated with a heart attack you will feel the pain radiating to your left jawline and shoulder. Pause for a while and analyze the situation. If you feel the pain radiating, go to an emergency room - fast!

• Difficulty in breathing

People experiencing symptoms of a myocardial infarction will feel shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. A heart attack survivor once told me that he felt like he was chasing after his breath because there was this heavy weight in his chest that was restricting him from taking a full breath.

• Nausea which could be followed by vomiting

Not all myocardial infarction victims experience nausea and vomiting, but it is a common symptom nonetheless.

• Breaking out in a cold sweat

A sudden breaking out in a cold sweat is a very common symptom of a myocardial infarction. Most patients report breaking out in a sweat comes before the chest pains. That is when they know it's the real thing.

• Sudden feeling of weakness

Once your oxygen supply has been cut off, you will experience immediate weakness like the life has been drained out of you.

Myocardial infarction symptoms are manifested by 75 per cent of the patients, but there are also those that do not show any signs at all. That is the reason why we need to watch ourselves. A heart attack could sneak up on you while you are sleeping and you might never wake up. Arm yourself with
information and practice a healthy lifestyle. That way, you may be able to hold heart attacks at bay.