Our body sends messages that we must learn to decipher. Some health problems do not happen overnight. There are signs, symptoms and events to warn you. Such is the case of heart attacks, warning signs appear a month before to inform you and help you to act on time. Check out these 6 signs that may indicate a heart attack a month in advance.
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease and stroke are the leading causes of death worldwide. In the United States, 700,000 people suffer from heart attacks each year and 150,000 of them die unfortunately.
A heart attack, also called infarction, is caused by stopping blood circulation because of the formation of a blood clot in the arteries that feed the heart. Victims of a heart attack usually experience symptoms such as tightness or chest pain, back pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat and loss of consciousness.
What are the 6 warning signs of a heart attack?
When a blood clot blocks blood circulation in the coronary artery, a heart attack occurs. Because of this blockage of blood flow, part of the heart muscle can be damaged or destroyed. Here are 6 signs that will help you recognize a heart attack a month before its onset.
1 - Extreme fatigue:
This is one of the most common signs before a heart attack. Tiredness after intense physical activity or a long working day is quite normal, but if this feeling is persistent or suddenly appears, you should consult an emergency doctor. Being constantly tired is not good sign, especially if you are getting enough sleep and you are eating balanced and healthy.
2 - Indigestion:
Suffering from bloating, gastric reflux or abdominal pain after a hearty meal is understandable. However, if these symptoms often appear, or if you feel full without actually eating, this should alert you.
3 - Sleep patterns:
Having trouble falling asleep or waking up several times during the night, can be the result of significant stress. But if these sleep disorders become the norm and if they are accompanied by extreme thirst or an irrepressible urge to urinate, you should visit an emergency doctor.
4 - Shortness of breath:
Feeling short of breath without having given extra effort is not normal. Short or jerky breathing means your lungs do not get enough oxygen. So if you are not suffering from any respiratory illness that can be responsible for this shortness of breath, it is recommended to consult urgently.
5 - Anxiety:
Anxiety disorders can occur in people with coronary artery disease. So, if you are suffering from a permanent anxiety state, without you being able to determine the cause, you should definitely talk to your doctor.
6 - Heavy arms and numbness:
Numbness and tingling of the arms can signal a heart attack. If the tingling is sudden and localized on a single arm, it may be the precursor of a stroke. If this numbness is accompanied by weak arm or fingers on one side of the body or unconsciousness, a doctor should be consulted promptly.
Emergency gestures in case of a heart attack:
What can you do if a person suddenly collapses in front of you? The first thing is to make sure there is no surrounding danger and to check if the victim is not breathing normally or does not react. In the meantime, ask a person to call for help or do it yourself, if you are alone. Above all, do not forget to specify that this is a heart attack.
Then try to do a cardiac massage while waiting for the arrival of the rescue or the installation of a defibrillator. To achieve this, you have to lengthen the victim on the back or on a hard surface, then kneel against it (on the side). Then place your hands one on top of the other, a little below the chest and press with all your weight (arms tight). Perform strong pressures at a steady rate of 100 per minute, per series of 30 consecutive compressions. These compressions circulate the blood in the body when the heart can no longer do it itself.
If you have a defibrillator, use it immediately. If there is no nearby area, continue with the cardiac massage until the rescue worker arrives.