Heart health: 5 warning signs that can occur a month before a heart attack

A myocardial infarction (MI), or heart attack, is a medical emergency in which blood supply to the heart is partially cut off, and can be fatal. However, our body often gives warning indicators for heart attacks, which become noticeable before the actual attack occurs. People can identify these warning indicators which appear between several days to multiple weeks before a heart attack, thus enabling them to receive medical assistance for preventing major damage. Please note that these signs can also appear in people with no heart history, so it is important to not take these lightly...

One of the earliest, and most common warning signs of an impending heart attack is chest discomfort, which may feel like pressure, tightness or burning sensation. While there might not be pain (or minimum pain), some people describe the feeling as "an elephant sitting on the chest." The discomfort can persist for short periods, or it may appear repeatedly throughout multiple days or weeks. The discomfort mimics heartburn symptoms, but unlike heartburn, this pain can radiate to the shoulders, neck, jaw and arms. This occurs because the heart fails to receive sufficient oxygen-rich blood, due to cholesterol build up in the arteries, making them narrow. The heart pain develops during physical exercise, periods of stress and also occurs when the person remains motionless. Medical evaluation becomes necessary when chest discomfort occurs, because it might indicate angina which leads to heart attacks.

The body shows warning signs through unexplained tiredness, which requires medical evaluation. The fatigue differs from typical tiredness, because it persists even with rest, and continues for extended periods of time. People experience reduced ability to perform daily activities, while experiencing persistent weakness and exhaustion. The heart's reduced efficiency in blood pumping, results in decreased oxygen delivery to body tissues. The body experiences continuous tiredness, because organs and muscles fail to get sufficient oxygen supply. People frequently dismiss this symptom by attributing it to stress or aging, but unexplained fatigue requires medical evaluation.

Heart problems become more likely when people experience new or worsening shortness of breath, while performing light physical activities such as walking or climbing stairs. The feeling of not getting enough air or needing to breathe harder, appears as the primary symptom. The heart's weakened state leads to lung fluid accumulation, which restricts complete breathing. The combination of shortness of breath with chest discomfort, leads to worsening symptoms that progress throughout days or weeks. People should pay close attention to this symptom, because it restricts physical movement and appears during rest periods.

Heart problems that reduce blood flow through the body, can cause dizziness and lightheadedness in patients. The condition develops either as a brief episode, or as a continuous problem. The heart's poor ability to pump blood and oxygen, leads to irregular heartbeats and low blood pressure. The heart's poor pumping ability leads to dizziness and fainting episodes, when patients move their bodies quickly. A healthcare provider needs to evaluate this symptom, because it impacts balance and safety, and patients should seek help when they experience it with additional symptoms like chest pain or breathlessness.

People who experience heart palpitations, notice their heart beats irregularly or beats too quickly, or develops a fluttering sensation. Even though often harmless on its own, the heart's electrical system disruption through palpitations creates a higher risk for heart attacks. This creates frightening sensations which sometimes occur with chest pain and dizziness. This occurs because the heart experiences strain which leads to abnormal heart rhythms that indicate potential heart disease. People who experience irregular heartbeats should seek medical help, because it allows doctors to identify heart problems during their early stages.

Disclaimer: This article is informational only and not a substitute for medical advice