Overview
Have you experienced a heart attack? Well, I have. So I can tell you from experience what you may experience if you’re having one. It is possible however that you may not have any of these symptoms. But in most cases, you will have at least one or more.
- Shortness of breath. This is one of the symptoms that are often mistaken for simple exertion. We often find ourselves out of breath after even mild activity, but if it seems like you are out of breath for no reason, or if it lasts longer than a few minutes, it is very likely that you may be experiencing a heart attack. Albeit, it may be what is referred to as a “mild” attack. But let me tell you, there is nothing mild about a heart attack. Any heart attack can kill you.
- Waking up in the middle of the night sweating and breathing hard. Yes, it could have been just a bad dream. But if you don’t remember having a bad dream then that may be a sign that you have had a heart attack. You may be lucky you woke up. That was the way my first attack hit me. After waking up I felt no real pain in my chest, it just felt like something heavy was laying an top of me.
- Numbness, usually in the left arm, but it could be in either arm. Usually radiating from the shoulder to the hand. The feeling is different than you feel when your arm just goes to sleep from possibly laying on your arm and cutting off the supply of blood. It is similar, it also may be associated with pain. But not always.
- Feeling as if you are drowning. I suffered through this, it had no other warning. I went to bed one night, and as I lay down it became overwhelming, the feeling that I couldn’t breathe. Sitting up helped some, and I was able to sleep after a while, but the next day I went to a doctor, and found I had Congestive Heart Failure. My heart and lung area was filling with fluid, and I was literally drowning.
I have since learned that there really are no mild heart attacks. If you experience any of these symptoms, You run the risk of having a heart attack that could be deadly. There is no guarantee that you will awaken from any heart attack. When your heart suffers any sort of electrical, (yes electrical) interference, it may bring on a heart attack. That is the purpose behind an EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram) It measures the electrical impulses in your heart.
You should have your heart checked if you have any suspicion of heart problems. If heart disease or disorders run in your family, if you are getting older especially. Although age is not a deciding factor, because heart problems are not only an old age ailment. They can strike at any time and at any age. Your doctor may be able to predict the onset of heart disease through testing, before it ever happens.
Other warning signs of a heart attack are high blood pressure, high blood sugar (Diabetes) Inherited problems, high stress levels. irritability, confusion, dizzyness or passing out, severe indigestion. (Many people often mistake heart problems for indigestion and try to treat it with antacids). Shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the upper abdomen or chest. Numbness almost anywhere in the upper torso, weakness, especially in the legs. Lack of energy or lethargy. And sometimes no symptoms at all. especially in women
There may be other symptoms or warning signs of a heart attack. The best answer is to have a regular check up by your doctor. Be sure to report any of these symptoms to him/her during your routine exam to be the safest. You may only have one heart attack. It could be your last.
More Information
The information posted in this article on cardiovascular emergencies, including heart attacks, is for learning purposes only. If you suspect you’re having a heart attack visit a medical professional as soon as possible. To learn to recognize and manage the symptoms of a heart attack register for a CPR course at one of our training locations.