Pre-Heart Attack Signs

Movies and TV shows have made having a heart attack look obvious, where the afflicted grabs his arm or chest and falls over. Although it can happen like this, it is far more common for heart attack signs to be more subtle. As discovered by the Framingham Heart Study research group, one-fourth of heart attacks are not accompanied by any chest pain at all. These are known as "silent" attacks." Most heart attacks are preceded by certain signs and symptoms that, when combined or if they cause any worry whatsoever, should be discussed with your doctor. Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death in the United States, particularly among women, and recognizing pre-heart attack symptoms may save your life.

Typical Symptoms

• According to the Mayo Clinic, the most recognizable pre-heart attack symptom is chest pain that gradually gets worse. Some may feel more of a squeezing or burning sensation in their chest that spreads. Others may experience symptoms of fullness and pressure. It is not uncommon to have a combination of these symptoms or even all of them at once. Chest pain usually starts in the center of the chest and radiates outward down the arms, back and up the neck into the jaw.

Atypical Symptoms

• A heart attack is often preceded by sudden dizziness, weakness and extreme fatigue. Many will experience shortness of breath as well as feeling as though they are about to pass out. These symptoms may be accompanied by nausea, sweating and an aching feeling that is similar to severe heartburn. People who experience these symptoms (with the absence of chest pain) often mistake them for a gastrointestinal problem.

Pre-Heart Attack Symptoms in Women

• Women suffer a higher mortality rate when it comes to heart disease, most likely because they experience more atypical symptoms than men. A recent study conducted by "The Female Patient," an online medical journal, showed that one-third of women do not experience any chest pain at all, which leads them to not seek treatment or seek the wrong kind. Similarly, The Women's Heart Foundation reported that 70 percent of women who suffered heart attacks later reported that they had only experienced symptoms similar to the flu in the weeks preceding the attack. In other cases, women reported experiencing nothing but severe jaw pain, which led them to seek dental treatment instead. Women should be particularly aware of atypical signs and symptoms of an impending heart attack to protect themselves sufficiently.

Locations

• Although it is commonly assumed that a heart attack will be felt primarily in the chest, there are several spots throughout the body where pain may manifest in the hours or days before an attack. One of the most recognized is chest pain that spreads down the left shoulder. Pain may also begin in the chest and move to the neck and jaw or the back, or sometimes both. In some cases, pain may not be in your chest at all and manifest only in your arms, back or jaw. No one should assume that they are not in danger of a heart attack just because they are not feeling chest pain.

Prevention/Solution

• When dealing with the heart, it is more beneficial to take a "better safe than sorry" approach and call 911 or see a doctor if you have any of these symptoms or just don't "feel right." Because of the atypical symptoms often manifested in heart disease, it is often misdiagnosed both by patients as well as in emergency rooms. Know the symptoms to help protect yourself and don't be afraid to insist on having your heart looked at if a medical professional seems dismissive. As a precaution, anyone who is afraid they are experiencing pre-heart attack symptoms should first take an aspirin dose to help thin the blood and prevent life-threatening clots.