Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. More than 600,000 people die each year from it…
That’s a whopping 23 percent of all deaths in the US each year. So we’ve compiled a list of signs to look out for just in case you feel you may be having a heart attack…
First Off…
This list shows signs of a heart attack, but we thought it’d be a good idea to start off by telling you a few things that can lead to heart attacks to begin with…
Causes…
To name just a few, here are some examples of what cause heart attacks: 1. Smoking – quitting smoking will unquestionably lower your risk of a heart attack. 2. Obesity – it’s important to understand that excess weight can cause heart disease and heart attacks. 3. Family History – if you’re worried about heart attacks, talk to your family or your doctor to see if they run in your family. 4. Age – being over the age of 55 years increases your chances of having heart disease or suffering a heart attack. Now let’s take a look at 30 signs to watch for…
Chest Discomfort
Perhaps the most obvious sign, chest discomfort is an accurate indication that something’s going on, maybe even a heart attack…
Nausea
If you feel like you’re going to vomit and can’t understand why, it may have to do with your heart, not your stomach…
Indigestion
If you just ate your favorite meal and for some reason it’s not going down right, you may be experiencing an early sign of a heart attack.
Stomach Pain
If you’re feeling pain in your stomach that’s not nausea or indigestion, it’s just random, it could be you heart secretly trying to tell you something…
Dizziness
If you spin around really fast or stand up suddenly after sitting for hours, you may feel a bit dizzy. But if you feel this way for an unknown reason, it may be because you’re about to suffer a heart attack.
Feeling Lightheaded
Akin to dizziness, feeling lightheaded is also a sign that your heart is warning you of an attack…
Throat Pain
Experiencing a pain inside the throat can mean that you’re catching a cold. But it can also be an early sign of a heart attack. If you’re not feeling any cold symptoms aside from a sore throat, be wary, because it may be something more.
Jaw Pain
There are not many reasons your jaw should experience pain, aside from maybe taking a few blows in a fist fight. But, strangely enough, jaw pain is an early sign of a heart attack…
Easily Exhausted
Simple activities leaving you exhausted can be an early sign of a heart attack. If you find yourself struggling to walk up a set of stairs, or winded after fetching the mail, you may want to see a doctor…
Snoring
Snoring in your sleep may not seem like a big deal. In fact, you may not even know you do it … many who snore don’t know it until someone tells them. But it can be very serious, and like the rest of the things on this list, snoring can be an early warning sign of a heart attack.
Sweating
An easy indicator of a heart attack is sweating, or a ‘cold sweat’. Even though we all sweat, it usually takes some type of activity or hot weather for us to perspire. Think twice before dismissing a little sweat, especially if you’re completely inactive and the weather isn’t hot.
Coughing That Won’t Stop
Similar to the throat pain, a chronic cough may indicate a cold or flu. But when it comes to heart attacks, coughing uncontrollably is an early sign you may be experiencing one…
Swollen Legs, Ankles and Feet
As odd as it may seem that early signs of a heart attack include swollen legs, ankles and feet, it’s still quite true. If you notice some extra mass around your lower half, it may be time to seek a doctor…
Irregular Heartbeat
The pace of our heartbeat fluctuates when we exercise or when we sleep, and that’s actually normal. But when the heart beats irregularly it may be a sign of a heart attack.
Shortness of Breath
Like many other signs on this list, shortness of breath can be normal in some contexts. If you’re exercising you may feel short of breath. Although, if it’s difficult for you to breath and you’ve only been sitting around, it could be very serious.
Heartburn
If you happen to feel a burning sensation deep in your chest, it may be caused by stomach acids moving up through your esophagus. This, called heartburn, can be an early sign of heart attack.
Pain in Arms
A heart attack is known to cause pain in areas other than just the chest, like the arms for example. If you’re feeling unexpected pain in the arms be careful, you may be suffering a heart attack.
Upper Abdomen Discomfort
Internal pain throughout the body is a pattern on this list, and the upper abdomen is not exempt. Not quite nausea or indigestion, but rather random, upper abdominal discomfort is sometimes a clear indication that something more serious is going on…
Upper Back Pain
Pain within the torso is an indicator of a potential heart attack, and one of those areas is the upper back. If experiencing pain there without any obvious injury, seek your doctor right away.
Pounding Heart
We’ve already covered irregular heartbeat, but a pounding heart can be just as serious. Even while beating at a normal pace, if the heart feels as if it is beating much harder than normal, be careful you’re not suffering a heart attack.
Wheezing
Breathing patterns can be accurate indicators of a heart attack, so pay attention to them closely if you feel something is wrong. Wheezing while breathing is highly irregular and should be taken seriously by anyone experiencing it.
Lost Appetite
If for some reason you’re not hungry when you usually would be, you may think it a godsend and can finally shed some weight. But be wary, sudden loss of appetite can be an indication that a heart attack is coming.
Thirsty
Opposite of the last sign, if you find that even after you’ve had plenty to drink you still have an unquenchable thirst, you may want to see a doctor as it can be an early indication of a heart attack.
Working Hard When You Shouldn’t Have To
One sign of a heart attack that may otherwise go unnoticed is easily getting tired. If you exercise regularly and find mundane activities harder to complete than usual, you may be suffering from a heart attack. Seek a doctor if this is the case.
Sudden Weight Increase
After the holidays it’s not uncommon to feel bloated or to put on a few pounds. But if for some reason you experience a flash weight gain, you may want to consider seeing a physician.
Mass Confusion
Body pain and pretty much anything having to do with the stomach and chest area can all be signs of heart attacks, but something you may not know is that sudden confusion is also an early sign. If for whatever reason you feel confused, you may want to see a doctor just in case.
A Feeling of Impending Doom
Perhaps the most mysterious sign on this list is the feeling of impending doom. For some reason, your body is telling you that you are doomed … don’t ignore this feeling. It may be more serious than you can imagine.
Body Chills
Commonly associated with the flu, having body chills can also be an indicator of a heart attack. If you feel overtaken by a sudden chill, consult with a doctor as soon as possible.
Fever
Like the sign above, fever can also be mistaken for a flu symptom. And although that can be true, it is also an indicator of a heart attack. If you feel unusually hot or cold at any time, call your physician.
Diarrhea
Last but not least on this list is diarrhea. Of the many stomach ailments that can indicate a heart attack, diarrhea is most likely to be passed off as something else. And although it doesn’t seem likely, many flu symptoms are actually signs of a heart attack.
