Sunday, 29 September 2013

Warning signs of heart attack

The symptoms of a heart attack varies from person to person. Some people have few symptoms and are surprised when they have a heart attack. If you have had a heart attack, the symptoms to a second one may be different from the first.  It is important for you to know the most common symptoms and also remember these facts.  According to www.heart.org heart attacks that occur without any symptoms or with very mild symptoms are called silent heart attacks.

Most common symptoms

-Chest pain or discomfort: Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center or left side of the chest. The discomfort usually lasts for more than a few minutes or goes away and comes back. It can feel like pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain. It can also feel like heartburn or indigestion. The feeling can be mild or severe.

-Upper body discomfort: You may feel pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, shoulders, neck, jaw, or upper part of the stomach (above the belly button).

-Shortness of breath: This may be your only symptom, or it may occur before or along with chest pain or discomfort. It can occur when you are resting or doing a little bit of physical activity.

Chest pain or discomfort that doesn’t go away or changes from its usual pattern (for example, occurs more often or while you’re resting) can be a sign of a heart attack.

Additional symptoms:

- Breaking out in a cold sweat

- Feeling unusually tired for no reason, sometimes for days (especially if you are a woman)

- Nausea (feeling sick to the stomach) and vomiting

- Light-headedness or sudden dizziness

- Any sudden, new symptoms or a change in the pattern of symptoms you already have (for example, if your symptoms become stronger or last longer than usual)

Prevention

Exercise: When you lift weights, your muscles get stronger and healthier. Your heart is a muscle, so the same thing holds true for it. Doctors recommend 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise at least three times a week.

Sleep:  Doctors recommend about eight hours of sleep per night. Not only does being tired all day hurt your performance, but research shows that too little or too much sleep can have some poor effects on your blood pressure.

Aspirin: Low doses of pain reliever work to help prevent clotting by thinning the blood. If your blood isn’t clotting, you’re less likely to have a heart attack. Researchers also suggest a daily dose of aspirin to help prevent a first and second heart attack.

Undergo preventive screening: There are ultrasound tests that can detect arterial blockage, and you will also likely have your body mass index (BMI) calculated so you’ll know exactly how out of shape you are. Your BMI is your weight divided by the square of your height, and multiplied by 732.  Getting information early about your risk level can help you avoid a heart attack.

Know your family medical history: Find out about chronic illnesses, diseases and any major surgeries members of you family have undergone.

Eat healthy: run away from processed foods and eat more foods that are in their original form Include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and eat fish at least twice a week. Salmon is your best bet for supplying your heart with healthy omega-3 fatty acids that will help you reduce arterial plaque. Whole grains like oatmeal and whole wheat bread are a must as well.


Punch

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