A heart attack or a myocardial infarction means the heart muscle might die, leading to severe damage to a person’s body. The symptoms of a heart attack can be subtle, and a person might not seek immediate medical help, leading to further damage. Most heart attacks start slowly and increase in their intensity.
A few common signs and symptoms of a heart attack include-
- Chest pain and tightness- this condition is also referred to as angina. The pain builds up in the centre of the chest. It may vanish or come back after a few minutes.
- Shortness of breath
- Discomfort and pain in other body parts include jaws, neck, stomach, arms, and back.
- Cold sweat
- Nausea
- Dizziness/lightheadedness
Since most of these symptoms can be subtle, many people might not even notice that they have a heart attack. However, if heart attack treatment is delayed for a long, it can lead to disastrous consequences.
If a person does not seek immediate medical aid after suffering from the symptoms of a heart attack, the heart muscle can stop working and pumping blood. It eventually leads to the muscle cells getting damaged.
Heart Attack Risk Factors
- Hypertension
- Diabetes
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Obesity
- Alcohol and caffeine intake
Consequences of Delaying Treatment
A heart attack may occur when blood flow to a section of the heart gets constricted. It eventually leads to muscle death. Delaying heart attack treatment may lead to lifelong complications. In several cases, the first heart attack leads to a second one within a few years. The damage can be irreversible once the heart muscle dies, often leading to permanent heart failure. Therefore, it is crucial to seek immediate help when heart attack symptoms begin.
