The Heart Attack Symptoms You Need To Know.

Do you know the symptoms of a heart attack? Here’s what to look out for - and how to prevent one.   Would you recognise a heart attack if you were having one? An NHS survey suggests that while most people know about chest pain, they’re not aware of some of the other important symptoms.

 Fewer than half the people responding knew that another heart attack symptom is sweating and only a third would spot other signs, which include feeling weak, lightheaded or generally uneasy.

 It's vital to know the lesser-known symptoms and although there’s a chance they could be nothing to worry about it’s important to call for help quickly rather than ignore them.

 It’s not just chest pain

According to the British Heart Foundation, more than 40,000 cardiac arrests happen to people who are not in hospital each year. Early CPR and defibrillation can more than double the chance of survival.   The British Heart Foundation says that currently there are more than 7.6 million people living with heart and circulatory diseases in the UK, but there could be one million more by 2030, and two million more by 2040.

 The symptoms of a heart attack

• Chest pain – this could be severe or minor, similar to indigestion.
• A feeling of pressure, heaviness, tightness or squeezing across your chest.
• Pain in other parts of your body – and a feeling that pain is spreading from your chest to your arms (particularly the left), jaw, neck, back and stomach.
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
• Sweating.
• Shortness of breath.
• Feeling or being sick.
• A feeling of unease or anxiety, similar to a panic attack.
• Coughing or wheezing due to a build-up of fluid in your lungs.

 Experiencing these symptoms? Call 999 immediately

 Don’t wait! Every minute matters

If you’re having a heart attack, it means the supply of blood to your heart has become blocked, which can starve it of oxygen, potentially causing serious muscle damage.

 You could still be conscious and breathing.

 Women are worse at recognising heart attack symptoms

Heart attack symptoms can vary from person to person and it’s better to dial 999 early than ignore them if you think something’s wrong. Women, in particular, are being advised to take heart attack symptoms seriously, as their risk increases after the menopause.

 The British Heart Foundation warns that women tend to not recognise the symptoms because they believe it’s more of a male problem.  In fact, 30,000 women are admitted to hospital following a heart attack every year – and they should look out for the same symptoms as men.

 A 2019 study found that chest pain was the most common symptom for both men and women, with 93% of both sexes reporting this symptom.  A similar percentage of men and women reported pain that radiated to their left arm (48% of men and 49% of women).

 More women had pain that radiated to their jaw or back and women were also more likely to experience nausea in addition to chest pain (33% vs 19%).

 Call for help straight away

Your chances of surviving a heart attack are boosted if you seek care earlier: around one in seven people survive, but that increases to more than nine out of ten (94%) if you seek help as soon as possible after the onset of symptoms.  A heart attack is a medical emergency, so don’t worry about wasting paramedics’ time: call 999 for an ambulance immediately.

 Professor Nick Linker, cardiologist and NHS national clinical director for heart disease, said: “Cardiovascular disease causes one in four deaths across the country, so it is vital that people are aware of the early signs of a heart attack.  “Every moment that passes during a heart attack increases heart muscle damage and nearly all of the damage takes place within the first few hours, so if you experience symptoms such as a sensation of squeezing or tightness across the chest alongside sweating, nausea, or a sense of unease, please call 999 so you have the best chance of a full recovery.”

 Every minute counts

Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive at the British Heart Foundation, said: “Every minute matters when somebody is having a heart attack, and could be the difference between life and death.  "Even if the symptoms don’t seem severe, such as a feeling of squeezing or tightness across the chest – call 999 immediately.   “A heart attack is a medical emergency and immediate action could save your life.”

 What can I do to help prevent heart attacks?

The British Heart Foundation has advice on keeping your heart healthy:

 Keep active: walking, gardening and any movement is good for you. Find out more about the benefits of cardio exercise and strength training.

• Maintain a healthy weight and eat well to prevent extra strain on your heart.
• Limit your alcohol intake to less than the recommended 14 units a week.
• Stop smoking.
• Keep an eye on your blood pressure and cholesterol levels.

 Written by: Hannah Verdier for SAGA Magazine

Hannah Verdier writes about fitness, health, relationships, podcasts, TV and the joy of reinventing yourself at 50 and beyond. She’s a graduate of teenage music bible Smash Hits and has a side hustle as a fitness trainer who shows people who hated PE at school how to love exercise.