Published:
February 19, 2022
Every 30-40 seconds someone in the United States has a heart attack which occurs when blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely. Many people did not know, or ignored the symptoms of heart attack. Let's make sure you're not one of those people!
How To Know if You’re Having a Heart Attack
Most people are aware they should seek emergency medical attention immediately if they experience classic heart attack symptoms like intense pain in the center of the chest or pain that radiates down the left arm. However, other, not so well-known symptoms also require action.
Despite the customary abruptness of an actual heart attack, symptoms can begin up to a month in advance. For most people, signs are present within 24 hours. Talk to your doctor if you notice a sudden decrease in your tolerance for exercise, shortness of breath or chest pain that’s unusual or new.
Many times my patients tell me they experience a new symptom, or experience it more intensely than ever before. In men the most common symptoms of heart attack are pain in the chest and arm.
Women’s Symptoms Are Different
Even though heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women in the United States, women often chalk up the symptoms to less life-threatening conditions like acid reflux, the flu or normal aging. Although both women and men can experience chest pressure that is often described as “an elephant sitting on the chest,” symptoms in women can be more subtle and sometimes confusing.
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Feelings of heartburn
- Feeling winded easily or short of breath
- Flu-like symptoms
- Jaw pain
- Back pain
- Nausea
Diabetes, Heart Disease and Cultural Connections
Young women with type-2 diabetes have 4-5 times the risk for heart attack than men. And African-American and Hispanic women are especially at risk. According to the American Heart Association, 49% of African-American women over the age of 20 have heart disease. And Hispanic women tend to develop heart disease 10 years earlier than non-Hispanic women.
4 Ways to Reduce Your Risk of Heart Disease
By following these four healthy lifestyle tips recommended by the American Heart Association, you can help reduce your risk of heart attack, and all types of cardiovascular disease:
- Eat healthy. Fill your plate with a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, skinless poultry, fish, and nuts. Limit salt, red meat, saturated and trans fats, and sugar-sweetened beverages.
- Stay active. Every week, strive for at least 150 minutes of moderate physical activity, 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity, or a combination of both.
- Maintain a healthy weight by following the suggestions above and learning more about how many calories you should be consuming based on your age, gender, and level of physical activity.
- Don’t smoke...and if you do smoke, stop. Also, avoid secondhand smoke. LG Health offers many free resources to help people quit using tobacco.