Symptoms and Complications
Most heart attack victims feel some symptoms in the days leading up to
the attack. The most common symptom is angina (chest pain). Chest
pain results when the heart muscle is not getting enough oxygen. - a condition
called ischemia. Angina is likely to get worse or more frequent as the
heart attack approaches. Other possible symptoms are extreme fatigue and shortness
of breath.
If someone has angina, they may have difficulty distinguishing angina symptoms
from heart attack pain. Heart attack symptoms are usually much more severe
and longer-lasting (more than 20 minutes) than angina. Heart attack symptoms
are relieved only slightly or temporarily by rest or medications used to relieve
angina.
Many people report feeling a sense of warning as a heart attack approaches.
There can be tightness, pressure, pain, and a "squeezing" feeling
in the chest. The pain may also be felt in the back, jaw, shoulder, or arm (especially
the left arm). The heart may speed up and beat irregularly. Although chest pain
is usually the first symptom, up to 20% of people having a heart attack do not
experience chest pain.
These other symptoms may or may not develop:
- shortness of breath
- anxiety
- sweating
- confusion
- nausea and vomiting
- temporary dimming of vision
- lightheadedness
Almost everyone who suffers a heart attack experiences arrhythmias
(irregular heartbeats). Some of these irregular heartbeats are harmless while
other types can cause serious problems, even death. One type, ventricular
fibrillation (VF), can lead to death in about 5 minutes. The left ventricle,
the main pumping chamber of the heart, quivers uselessly instead of delivering
blood to the body. The heart does this because of the lack of oxygen delivery.
Not all heart attacks are this severe. In fact, some heart attacks go unnoticed
or are shrugged off as heartburn or angina. Distinguishing a heart attack
from heartburn is not as easy as you might think - antacids and belching
can actually relieve heart attack pain, though it usually returns quickly. Nitroglycerin
sprays or pills, often carried by people with angina, may also relieve pain
temporarily. However, chest discomfort caused by most heart attacks is not relieved
by nitroglycerin. It is important to use your discretion and common sense: if
the discomfort feels worse or different than usual, consult your doctor.