Understanding the Early Signs of a Heart Attack

Recognising the early signs of a heart attack is very important and can be lifesaving. These
signs often start subtly and can be mistaken for less serious conditions. Crucial early signs
include:
1. Chest Discomfort: This is the hallmark symptom of a heart attack. It can manifest as
pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain in the centre of the chest that lasts more than a
few minutes or goes away and comes back. This can occur either on exertion or
suddenly, out of the blue.
2. Upper Body Discomfort: Pain or discomfort can spread beyond the chest to the
shoulders, arms, back, neck, jaw, or stomach. Often during medical history taking,
doctors ask about the `radiation` of the chest pains and indeed if it spreads to either
jaw or left arm, this can be viewed as a sign of a myocardial infarction.
3. Shortness of Breath: This can occur with or without chest discomfort. It often starts
before the onset of chest pain. Sudden breathlessness can mimic a chest pain and
often accompanies slightly less obvious chest tightness.
4. Cold Sweat: This is not an usual symptom, which patients describe in addition to the
above.
5. Nausea or vomiting: Although it may be a sign also of a stomach or gastrointestinal
pathology, especially nausea can be an early sign of a heart attack.
6. Light-headedness or feeling dizzy: These symptoms may accompany the chest
discomfort or occur independently, particularly in women.
Interesting study was presented at European Heart Congress in 2023. The researchers
demonstrated that patients who correctly recognised their symptoms of a heart attack had
higher chance to receive treatment that opens their arteries and restores blood flow (57.4% vs
47.2%). Additionally, individuals, who recognised symptoms had a lower in-hospital death
rate (1.5%) in comparison to those who did not recognise their symptoms of a myocardial
infarction (6.7%). (https://www.escardio.org/The-ESC/Press-Office/Press-releases/Heart-
attack-victims-who-recognise-symptoms-are-less-likely-to-die-in-hospital)

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