Recognising the early warning indicators of a heart attack can doubtlessly save lives.

This life-threatening situation happens when the blood provide to the center is instantly blocked, usually by a blood clot.

Insufficient blood circulation to the center could cause extreme injury to the center muscle and requires quick therapy.

According to knowledge from the British Heart Foundation, one particular person is admitted to a UK hospital each 5 minutes on account of a coronary heart assault.

Coronary coronary heart illness (CHD) is the main explanation for coronary heart assaults, with over 86,500 folks being admitted to hospitals throughout England, Wales, and Northern Ireland between April 2019 and March 2020.

While signs might range from individual to individual, there are 11 early warning indicators of a coronary heart assault that everybody ought to concentrate on.

Recognising these indicators prematurely permits for needed checks and preventive measures, as suggested by the British Heart Foundation.

Leg ache

Experiencing a gripping or cramping sensation within the calves whereas strolling may point out peripheral arterial illness (PAD), significantly frequent in people who smoke and people with diabetes.

David Newby, Professor of Cardiology on the BHF Centre of Research Excellence advises seeing a health care provider if you happen to expertise this.

Arm ache

Pain radiating down the left arm or into the neck is usually a signal of a coronary heart assault.

If the ache persists or if in case you have pre-existing coronary heart illness and your medicine has not supplied reduction, search emergency medical recommendation by calling 999.

Professor Newby mentioned: “If your ache goes down the arm, particularly the left arm, or into the neck that makes it extra prone to be heart-related than indigestion.

"If it doesn’t go away, or if you know you have heart disease and have used your GTN (glyceryl trinitrate) spray two or three times to no discernible effect, you should be seeking emergency medical advice.”

Swollen ankles

While swollen ankles can have various causes, they should not be ignored, as they may indicate heart failure. Professor Newby says: “This shouldn’t be ignored, especially if the ankles get really big, as it can be a marker of heart failure, but it is also very common and has lots of other causes. It could just as easily be from tablets you are taking – for example, blood pressure medication can lead to swollen ankles.” Consult your GP if you experience persistent ankle swelling.

Stomach pain or indigestion

Chest or stomach pain resembling indigestion could be a sign of a heart attack or related cardiac issues. Distinguishing between heart-related pain and indigestion can be challenging, so it's crucial to seek medical attention if you're uncertain.

Feeling sick

While not every episode of nausea indicates a heart attack, experiencing chest pain alongside nausea should raise concerns. Professor Newby said: “If you experience intense chest pain even when you are just sitting around doing nothing and you are also feeling sick, that is the time to call for an ambulance.”

If you have intense chest pain and feel nauseous, call for an ambulance. For mild discomfort accompanied by nausea, seek advice from NHS 111.

Night sweats

Sweating excessively during physical exertion or hot weather is normal. However, if you experience night sweats alongside chest pains, it could be a warning sign, and you should call for an ambulance.

Jaw or back pain

It's not uncommon for heart attack symptoms to manifest as pain in the jaw or back. If the pain persists, dial 999 and request an ambulance. Professor Newby said: “With heart attacks, it can even happen that the pain is felt in the jaw, or the back. Again, if it doesn’t go away, call 999 and ask for an ambulance.” Women may experience symptoms that differ from the classic chest pain associated with heart attacks, making it crucial to seek medical attention.

Choking sensation

The term "angina" means "choking," and tightness or pain in the throat can be indicative of this condition. If the sensation persists and you haven't been previously diagnosed with a heart problem, contact NHS 111. If other signs are present, calling an ambulance might be safer.

Extreme fatigue

While fatigue can result from various conditions, persistent extreme tiredness could be a symptom of heart failure or other underlying issues. If your tiredness is unexplained and severe, consult your GP.

Irregular heartbeat

Awareness surrounding irregular heartbeats has grown recently. While occasional skipped heartbeats are usually harmless, a consistently fast and erratic heartbeat warrants a visit to your GP. If accompanied by blackouts, call an ambulance.

Professor Newby said: “This is a hot topic at the moment, there’s a lot of focus on diagnosing irregular heartbeats. I did an audit of the heart monitors we give out to people for investigation and from about 700 people, we found only about 20 that had atrial fibrillation [which can increase your risk of stroke]. The vast majority of people just had extra ectopic beats, which are usually harmless.

“I would suggest that a jumped heartbeat is usually benign and nothing to get too concerned by. Being aware of your own heartbeat is really quite common and in itself nothing to get anxious about. If your heart is going very fast and jumping around erratically then that’s when you should see your GP. If you feel like this and then you experience blackouts, call an ambulance.”

Chest pain

The classic symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, often described as heaviness, tightness, or pressure. If you experience intense chest pain and feel extremely unwell, dial 999 for an ambulance. Exertional chest pain that subsides upon rest may indicate angina, still requiring a doctor's visit but not necessarily an emergency.

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