HEART ATTACK: PART THREE
© Kathleen Newton
CHEST PAIN: Chest pain associated with heart attack is often described as crushing, aching, squeezing, or a feeling of heaviness or pressure. The pain is most often felt in the center of the chest. However, pain caused by a heart attack may radiate from the chest to the back, arm, shoulder, neck, or jaw. Chest pain during a heart attack is constant, and is not relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF:
*You have severe chest pain.
*Your chest pain lasts longer than ten minutes.
*Your chest pain is not relieved by rest or medication.
BREATHING DIFFICULTY: A person having a heart attack may be breathing very rapidly, as the body tries to deliver more oxygen to the ailing heart. Often, the victim will experience extreme shortness of breath. *SEVERE SHORTNESS OF BREATH CAN BE THE ONLY SYMPTOM OF HEART ATTACK*
SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION IF YOU HAVE SEVERE SHORTNESS OF BREATH, EVEN IF IT'S THE ONLY SYMPTOM YOU HAVE.
OTHER SIGNS OF HEART ATTACK:
*A feeling of weakness.
*Nausea and/or vomiting.
*Pale or bluish skin.
*Cool, clammy skin, or profuse sweating.
*Pulse may be faster or slower than normal, and/or may be irregular.
PRECIPITATING EVENTS:
*Many heart attacks occur when the victim is at rest or asleep.
*Major emotional stress and/or recent life-changing events (such as death or divorce) are common in victims of heart attack.
*Illicit drug use can cause heart attack.
DENIAL:
Most heart attack victims initially deny the possibility that they are having a heart attack, and will search for "reasonable" explanations of their symptoms. Some common excuses:
"It's just indigestion." Maybe your pain is just heartburn, but maybe it isn't. Be safe, not sorry: if your chest pain lasts longer than ten minutes and isn't relieved by sitting upright and taking an antacid, head to the hospital.
"I'm in great shape! I can't be having a heart attack!" Heart attack can strike anyone, anywhere. You may be a non-smoker, in excellent health, and following a heart-healthy diet. But if you are an older man who has a brother with heart disease, your odds of having a heart attack are increased. Remember, advanced age, male gender, and a family history of heart disease are all risk factors for heart attack that can't be changed.
"I'll feel foolish if I go to the Emergency Room and it's not a heart attack." No, you won't. You'll feel relieved that you know for sure. Imagine how you and your family will feel if you don't get medical attention and you actually ARE having a heart attack.
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