Heart attack: Signs to look out for
If you suspect you have these symptoms, contact an emergency service immediately
Heart attacks are always a cause for alarm and Netcare 911 suggests that you monitor signs and symptoms carefully.
The emergency service provided seven signs to observe:
• Chest pressure, tightness and heaviness: Most heart attacks cause pain and discomfort in the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back.
• Extreme fatigue: A sense of unusual or extreme tiredness that lasts days or weeks can be a sign of heart problems. These symptoms are more common in women.
• Fainting and light-headedness: Dizziness, extreme weakness and anxiety.
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• Pain in shoulders, jaw, neck and arms.
• Nausea.
• Severity of pain: The more signs and symptoms you have, the more likely you’re getting a heart attack.
• Shortness of breath – with our without chest pains.
• Sweating: Breaking out in a cold sweat for no reason. If this happens with any of the above symptoms – seek medical help immediately.
• Family history: Those who have a relative who had heart attack by the age of 65 are considered to have family history and increased risk.
• Medical conditions: Those with diabetes, obesity and auto-immune disorders are more likely to have a heart attack.
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