Prevention is always the best cure. This rule is especially true when dealing with a heart attack, one of the most serious and lethal diseases, whose symptoms are often very difficult to recognize and identify. Below are some signs your body sends you about a month before a heart attack. It’s a good idea to keep them in mind.
1. You are constantly tired
Unusual fatigue is one of the main symptoms indicating an impending heart attack. Women are more likely to report this type of symptom than men. Physical and mental activity aren’t the cause of fatigue, which increases at the end of the day. This symptom is quite obvious and won’t go unnoticed: sometimes, even simple tasks, like washing dishes or taking a shower, can be exhausting.
2. You experience severe abdominal pain
Abdominal pain, nausea, a feeling of bloating, or stomachache are some of the most common symptoms. They are equally likely to occur in women and men. Abdominal pain before a heart attack is episodic in nature, relieving itself and then recurring for short periods of time. Physical tension may also aggravate stomach pain.
3. You have trouble falling asleep
Insomnia is associated with an increased risk of heart attack or stroke, and is more common among women. Characteristics of insomnia often include high levels of anxiety and distraction. Symptoms include difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, and waking up in the morning.
4. You are often short of breath
Dyspnea, or shortness of breath, is a strong feeling of being unable to breathe deeply. It often occurs in men and women up to six months before a heart attack. It is usually a warning sign of a very serious medical condition. Feeling as if you’re not breathing enough air, dizziness, and shortness of breath are the main signs.
5. Hair loss
Hair loss is considered another visible indicator of heart disease risk. It most commonly affects men over 50, but some women are also at risk. Baldness is also associated with increased levels of the hormone cortisol. Pay particular attention to the health of your hair.
6. You have an irregular heartbeat
Irregular heartbeats and arrhythmias are often accompanied by panic and anxiety attacks, especially among women. They appear unexpectedly and manifest themselves in various ways: arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat) or tachycardia (increased heart rate). Exercise may provide additional stimulation to the increased heart rate, especially in cases of atherosclerotic disease. The irregular heartbeat lasts 1-2 minutes. If it doesn’t go away, you may experience dizziness and extreme fatigue. Call your doctor immediately.
7. You suffer from excessive sweating
Unusual or excessive sweating is an early warning sign of a heart attack. It can occur at any time of the day or night. This symptom more commonly affects women and is often confused with hot flashes or night sweats typical of menopause. Flu-like symptoms, clammy skin, or sweating that occurs regardless of air temperature or physical exertion are the main signs. Sweating seems to be more excessive at night; therefore, your sheets may feel damp in the morning.
8. You suffer from severe chest pain
Men and women experience chest pain of varying severity and severity. In men, this symptom is one of the most important early warning signs of an impending heart attack and should not be ignored. On the other hand, women are affected only 30% of the time. Chest pain may spread and cause discomfort in one or both arms (most often the left), the lower jaw, the neck, shoulders, or the stomach. It may be permanent or temporary.
