Every year, about 1.1 million Americans suffer from heart attacks, or myocardial infarctions (MI). About 460,000 of these people will suffer fatal attacks, many of which may have had a different prognosis had the sufferer reacted quickly and been able to make it to an emergency room.
A heart attack is the most severe type of muscle pain and an indicator that a part of your heart muscle is dying. Heart attacks are commonly caused by a blockage of fatty deposits, or plaque, in a heart artery. This blockage prevents blood and oxygen flow to a part of the heart, which kills the muscle. If caught quickly, doctors usually can prevent death or severe heart damage by administering blood-thinning medicines or performing an angioplasty, which removes the arterial blockage.
Heart Attacks in Men
Symptoms of heart attacks in men and women vary somewhat, although many symptoms overlap. Men more than women are likely to experience chest pain or pressure, as well as the pain or discomfort in the left arm that Hollywood has made notorious. However, symptoms may not include chest pain, and in about 25 percent of cases, heart attacks are asymptomatic, earning them the name the “silent killer.”
Because many of the symptoms of a heart attack aren’t immediately linked, it’s important to learn the nine signs so that you or a loved one can be alerted quickly and get immediate medical attention.
Chest Discomfort
Most men – but only about 50 percent of women -- suffering from a heart attack will experience pain or discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes or that comes on, eases and returns. This can range from a feeling of pressure or fullness in the chest to a strong, sharp pain. Sometimes, this feeling can follow a period of feeling angina or a strong, dull chest pain, or it can come on suddenly and without warning.
Upper Body Discomfort
Men often experience pain or discomfort in one or both arms. Women more often report feeling back, neck, jaw or abdominal pain, but men may experience these symptoms as well, and the pain may range from mild to severe.
Sweating
Men are more likely than women to break out in a cold sweat during a heart attack. The perspiration is more closely related to a stress-related sweat outbreak, rather than the kind of perspiration one would experience after a period of exercise or after spending time in the heat.
Shortness of Breath/Lightheadedness
Shortness of breath or a feeling like you can’t catch your breath, with or without chest pain, is a serious symptom of a heart attack. While women are more likely to report feeling lightheaded or dizzy, these symptoms are also indicators of a heart attack in men.
Nausea and Stomach Pain
Not all heart attack symptoms occur in the chest. Many heart attack sufferers report feeling nausea or epigastric discomfort (upper middle abdominal pain) and may or may not experience vomiting. Because these symptoms may be confused with the onset of flu-like illness, many hesitate to get immediate medical help. When combined with any of the symptoms on this list or when there is a concern about heart problems, these symptoms should not be ignored.
Jaw Pain
While women are more likely to report experiencing jaw pain, toothaches or headaches, these symptoms can be signs of a heart attack in a man, especially when combined with the other symptoms on this list.
General Malaise
Many heart attack sufferers, both male and female, have reported feeling general malaise, or a non-specific feeling of illness, leading up to their heart attacks.
Fatigue
Extreme fatigue, especially with sudden onset, can signal a heart attack. Many cardiac patients have reported feeling extremely tired, even when they’ve been sitting still or have said they had difficulty performing basic functions, like walking to the bathroom.
No Symptoms
About 25 percent of heart attacks are silent -- meaning that they occur without chest pain or new symptoms. Silent heart attacks are especially common in patients with diabetes and have earned heart attacks the nickname of “silent killer.”
What Do I Do If I Have These Symptoms?
If you experience any of the symptoms on this list, it is essential that you get immediate medical attention. Time is essential for preventing permanent damage to the heart or death. If you suspect that you may be having a heart attack, you should wait no more than five minutes before calling for help, even if you aren’t experiencing chest pain.
Do not try to get yourself to the hospital. Trying to drive yourself may result in an accident that could cause injury to yourself or others and will result in losing precious time to get medical attention. For that same reason, it’s important that you call 9-1-1 rather than asking a friend or family member to drive you. Emergency medical technicians can begin administering lifesaving measures as soon as they arrive to minimize any permanent damage to your heart.