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signs of heart attack

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Q: nasua and vomiting are signs of heart attack…how long are u sick at your stomach if you don’t vomit?
heart attack

A: The onset of symptoms in myocardial infarction (MI) is usually gradual, over several minutes, and rarely instantaneous.[48] Chest pain is the most common symptom of acute myocardial infarction and is often described as a sensation of tightness, pressure, or squeezing. Chest pain due to ischemia (a lack of blood and hence oxygen supply) of the heart muscle is termed angina pectoris. Pain radiates most often to the left arm, but may also radiate to the lower jaw, neck, right arm, back, and epigastrium, where it may mimic heartburn. Levine’s sign, in which the patient localizes the chest pain by clenching their fist over the sternum, has classically been thought to be predictive of cardiac chest pain, although a prospective observational study showed that it had a poor positive predictive value.[49]

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) occurs when the damage to the heart limits the output of the left ventricle, causing left ventricular failure and consequent pulmonary edema. Other symptoms include diaphoresis (an excessive form of sweating), weakness, light-headedness, nausea, vomiting, and palpitations. These symptoms are likely induced by a massive surge of catecholamines from the sympathetic nervous system[50] which occurs in response to pain and the hemodynamic abnormalities that result from cardiac dysfunction. Loss of consciousness (due to inadequate cerebral perfusion and cardiogenic shock) and even sudden death (frequently due to the development of ventricular fibrillation) can occur in myocardial infarctions.

Women and older patients experience atypical symptoms more frequently than their male and younger counterparts.[51] Women also have more symptoms compared to men (2.6 on average vs 1.8 symptoms in men).[51] The most common symptoms of MI in women include dyspnea, weakness, and fatigue. Fatigue, sleep disturbances, and dyspnea have been reported as frequently occurring symptoms which may manifest as long as one month before the actual clinically manifested ischemic event. In women, chest pain may be less predictive of coronary ischemia than in men.[52]

Approximately half of all MI patients have experienced warning symptoms such as chest pain prior to the infarction.[53]

Approximately one fourth of all myocardial infarctions are silent, without chest pain or other symptoms.[54] These cases can be discovered later on electrocardiograms or at autopsy without a prior history of related complaints. A silent course is more common in the elderly, in patients with diabetes mellitus[55] and after heart transplantation, probably because the donor heart is not connected to nerves of the host.[56] In diabetics, differences in pain threshold, autonomic neuropathy, and psychological factors have been cited as possible explanations for the lack of symptoms.[55]

Any group of symptoms compatible with a sudden interruption of the blood flow to the heart are called an acute coronary syndrome.[57]

The differential diagnosis includes other catastrophic causes of chest pain, such as pulmonary embolism, aortic dissection, pericardial effusion causing cardiac tamponade, tension pneumothorax, and esophageal rupture.[58]

Diagnosis

Q: Another questionable Headline “Only 1 in 4 know heart attack signs”only one in 4 what?
One in Four Doctors? That’s Scary! Maybe…this is some sort of trick…

A: I’m not a doctor but I know them. It’s rather nice to know someone is alive because I paid attention. Gotta watch out for nausea, pale clammy skin in women. Even if your friend tells you not to call 911, do it anyway!

Q: seven signs of heart attack?

A: * Chest discomfort—pressure, squeezing, fullness,
or pain in center of chest
* Discomfort in one or both arms, back, neck,
jaw, or stomach
* Shortness of breath, may come before or
with chest discomfort
* Breaking out in a cold sweat
* Nausea
* Light-headedness
*Irritability/uneasiness of patient’s physical state, with ST elevation in EKG.

In diabetics these or most of the signs may be abscent only EKG will show acute changes or cardiac enzymes will be elevated.

Q: signs of heart attack?

A: Heavy crushing dull chest pain that spreads to the jaw and arms and does not improve with antacids, difficulty breathing, blueness of the face and lips, cold and clammy skin

Q: Is intense pain in the jaw line really a warning sign of heart attack?
I just received an email, Subject: Heart Attacks and Drinking Warm Water. Usually I treat such emails as junk, but this one I read. Is there any truth at all in this claim? And are people who “send this to a friend” just gullible?

This is what it says about heart attack:

“A serious note about heart attacks – You should know that not every heart attack symptom is going to be the left arm hurting. Be aware of intense pain in the jaw line.”

“You may never have the first chest pain during the course of a heart attack. Nausea and intense sweating are also common symptoms.”

“60 per cent of people who have a heart attack while they are asleep do not wake up. Pain in the jaw can wake you from a sound sleep.”

“Let’s be careful and be aware. The more we know, the better chance we could survive.”

“A cardiologist says if everyone who reads this message sends it to 10 people you can be sure that we’ll save at least one life. Read this & Send to a friend. It could save a life.”

A: I don’t know what the statistics of people not waking up when having a heart attack are, but it is absolutely true that not all people experience heart attacks in the same way. Jaw pain is a common type of ‘referred pain’ associated with heart attack. Some people feel it less like pain and more like a crushing or tightening feeling in their chests. Shortness of breath and nausea are also highly associated with heart attacks. The ER in my hospital often sees patients with “dental pain” who end up in our Critical Care department because they are actually having a heart attack.

Q: What Are Some Of The Warning Signs Of Stroke Or Heart Attack ?
My good friend has had a numbness on the left-side of his head (above the ear all the way to the crown) for about a month now and he won’t go to the doctor .

The numbness ranges from the top or crown of his head , to just above and then behind his left ear .

Is this a warning sign of stroke or heart attack ?

If not, then what could it be ?

Give me everything you can so Ii can convince him to see a doctor .
Thank you .
What Is TMJ ?

A: Honestly.. best thing to do is to convince him to WebMD it if you just can’t talk him into going “just because”.

Q: My father,6 cardiac arrests,52yr old male,blood not showing signs of heart attack,liver & kidneys ok?
He keeps going into Vtach..? venticular tachycondrial(?Spelling?) BRAIN IS intact, he responds to commands well.
The hospital he is at keeps postponing triple bypass,waiting on stars to align,how do I get him transferred to another hospital? What do I need to do to help give him a fighting chance?
How do I go about finding a new cadiologist? heart surgeon? I just need guidance, don’t know where to start…I am the oldest and have power of attorney.

A: Actually in the U.S. all you have to do is call an ambulance and tell them you want to transfer your Dad out of the hospital he is in to (the hospital you want him in) and have them take him to the emergency room at the hospital you are transferring him to. The new hospital will contact a cardiologist if you don’t know any and the cardiologist will contact a heart surgeon if one is needed. Your Dad may just need a change in medication to control his VT. Be sure you have your copy of medical power of attorney. Power of attorney does not cover you to do medical decisions unless it says “Medical” power of attorney. I know because I am my Father’s “Medical” power of attorney and my sister is his power of attorney which are 2 separate things. Check your papers, your Dad may have to get an attorney to add that you have “medical” power of attorney also.

Q: Are there any signs that a heart attack is coming, subtle signs that I should watch for so that I can get help?
quickly before it kills me? I don’t have anything wrong yet. Just wan t to be aware of what to watch for. I am 59 years old. I don’t smoke or drink, and I am rather active.

A: What’s your cholesterol? Even active folks have bad cholesterol. Mine was 185, not bad? LOL, there was no good cholesterol at all. Get it checked and live long and prosper.

Q: Could these symptoms I am having be signs of a heart attack ?
I have been having some uncomfortable feelings lately which I am starting to worry could be signs of heart disease or a heart attack, angina etc… I am atleast 100 lbs above over weight. I am on blood pressure medication for high blood pressure. The past couple of weeks I have been getting a feeling of pressure in my chest, middle, inner left side. Also, I am getting a funny feeling in my left shoulder, kind of on the inside of the shoulder next to the chest, on left side. It comes on every hour or so. Its not really painfull but just dont have a reason for it. I dont lift weight, have not pulled anything. To explain it the best would be to say that I get a feeling of almost a restriction, tightness, and even like its an itch inside my shoulder but you cant scratch it to get rid of it. I also get this scary feeling in my left side of chest which I thought at first was a muslce spasm or twitch but realize its a flutter. I am probably in denial cause I should get this checked out. When I went to the doctor about 3 months ago he did an ekg and said it was ok but still wanted me to get some kind of chest xray. I never went but now regret that. IF anyone could give me there opinion or suggestions please do. Thank you.

A: Van Bo and Vortex are telling you what you already know. I hope you listen to them. I’m going to say pretty much the same thing.

Twice now you had symptoms that made you think heart attack. Wether you were sure it was or not is not the issue. You worried that it might be. Yet twice you talked yourself out of getting emergency medical treatment. BillyBoy, you are letting your fear make a decision for you, not your intelligence. This is ALWAYS a bad move.

Let me put it this way, your imagination, the thing that is freaking you out and convincing you NOT to call 911, will eventually shut down, especially when the symptoms abate, and you’ll go back to your life like nothing happened. REALITY doesn’t go away. If you have the ‘big one’, all the crap that you really should be afraid of will actually happen, and it will be with you forever. If you think it’s scary now, imagine how scary your life will be if you have a heart attack that adversely affects every part of your life from that point on.

You definitely have a good story that would impress any medical professional that has a brain in their head that you need to be evaluated. Those two bouts may actually have been little heart attacks. Little events where for whatever reason, oxygen wasn’t making it to your heart muscle in enough quantity to keep it healthy. They may have been warnings. Heed them.

If you have a stress test, and I highly recommend it, they doc can likely fix the problem THAT DAY, before you have the ‘big one’. If it turns out you have some innocuous condition, like acid indigestion, or had too much caffeine that day, the stress test will show you that you are healthy and you won’t have to worry so much, which would be great, right?

I have met so many people like you over the years and I feel the same way now that I did when I started in EMS 15 years ago. I feel sorry for you. Your body is trying to tell you something and you’re so nervous about what it could mean that you never find out what it really is. Please believe me, this decision-making process could kill you. Is your life so horribly without hope or fun that you want to risk it over fears that may not even be founded in reality?

BillyBoy, call your doctor!!

Q: what are the signs of an upcoming heart attack?
My Father, aged 63 years, has had a heart attack in the past, about 19 years ago. Then he almost had another about 5 years ago, but I got him to the hospital in time. They then put a “stent” in one of his arteries. Now, he isnt feeling well, and i am just wondering when I should force him to go to the hospital?

A: As per the American Heart Association:

Heart Attack Warning Signs
Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the “movie heart attack,” where no one doubts what’s happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren’t sure what’s wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

*Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.
* Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
* Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.
* Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women’s most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

Learn the signs, but remember this: Even if you’re not sure it’s a heart attack, have it checked out. Minutes matter! Fast action can save lives — maybe your own. Don’t wait more than five minutes to call 9-1-1.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car. The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. Patients with chest pain who arrive by ambulance usually receive faster treatment at the hospital, too.

If you can’t access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you’re the one having symptoms, don’t drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

Q: absolute signs of an impending heart attack?
I want the absolute signs of an impending heart attack in women. Also want to know the absolute signs of impending death.

A: There are no absolute signs of impending heart attack in women or men for that matter. Signs and symptoms of an MI ( myocardial infarction) vary from person to person, however the 1st things that would raise my suspicion of possible MI in a woman would be, over age 40, nausea and possibly vomiting, dyspnea, diaphoresis, followed by chest pain with possible radiation to jaw, upper back and left arm.
Allways cause for suspicion and the need for a 12 lead EKG. Women are less likely to have an MI, but more likely to die from one because the symptoms are easier to to ignore or pass off as indigestion, gas, ect.
Asystole is the best sign of impending death, although if it is a witnessed arrest, with quick CPR your outcome is much more favorable

Inferior MI’s seem to be the most troublesome, followed by anterior MI’s

Q: What are the signs of a heart attack & how can some one keep from having one?

A: You feel pain in your chest ,Shortness of breath. Go see a Doctor they will be able to help you a lot better and give you true facts and information on how to avoid having a heart attack.

Q: my dad’s 4 blood test revealed that there are signs of heart attack, however, after his Balloon Angioplasty…
the doc, says there is actually no sign of blockage etc and ready to discharge the very next day (the doc seems to be very impatient and unwilling to answer my other queries)

isn’t it contradicting?

my dad suddenly suffered difficulty in breathing and was rushed to the a&e, after an CT scan was done, the doctor rushed him to balloon angioplasty, constant measure of blood pressure is around (150+/90+) pulse rate while lying down is at 80.

Anything other i should take note of? As tomorrow, I was informed another doctor in charge will be inspecting my dad before releasing him.

A: The blood tests you are referring to are most likely enzymes that get released from heart cells when they are damaged during the heart attack (search “troponin” and “CK-MB” for more info). These enzymes can hang around in a person’s blood anywhere from hours to days even though the attack is finished, so it’s not necessarily contradictory to have abnormal tests but no radiologic signs of blockage.
Your dad is at risk for heart attacks in the future, so you should help him with doing the things the doc will recommend (change in diet, exercise, taking his medications faithfully, etc.). Be on the lookout for signs in the future, like gasping for breath, sweating, or grabbing at the chest/arm.

Q: could it be early signs of a heart attack?
my friend said that she just woke up with a very veryy excruciating pain in her left arm and she has chest pains every few minutes, should this be something to worry about??

A: Call 911 for an ambulance, she should be sitting up, but she shouldn’t walk around because if it is a heart attack movement will only make it worse. As a former EMT I know that it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Q: can this be signs of heart attacks ?
I had many EKGs, CAT scan, X-ray, Ecocardigram (might not spell right) it was some kind of heart ultra sound about 6 months ago. The reason was i had panic attack. The result of all tests came out perfect. Today I had chest pain on the left side of my chest 3 times already, each last about 2 mins. I also have discharge from my anus. I just want to know if anyone can tell me if it was excess acid in my stomach or it’s a heart problem.

A: The tests have been done 6 months ago, signs are present today which means everything may be normal 6 months (almost 180 days) before. We are all well aware about what can happen in 1-day? Get tested again if the problem persists otherwise it is transient attack due to sudden shortage of oxygen.

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