The Signs of Heart Attack and How to Manage it ?

Heart attacks don’t wait. Recognise the early signs of a heart attack - chest pain, shortness of breath, dizziness- and save your life. Secure your heart health and financial well-being with comprehensive health insurance.

Deepak lives in Delhi and takes the Metro to reach his office daily. It was a routine commute to work when, one day, he started feeling chest pain. Initially, he ignored it, thinking it was a strain caused by climbing the stairs; however, when the pain grew, he decided to see the doctor. It was a case of a heart attack.

A heart attack is a medical emergency which requires prompt attention since it can make a person unconscious and even cause death.

In such moments, worrying about medical bills can increase stress levels and worsen the situation. Buying Heart Mediclaim and being prepared with one is advisable.

This page aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of heart attacks, including their symptoms, silent heart attack, risk factors and treatment approaches.

What is a Heart Attack?

For sound heart health, there should be a continuous supply of oxygen-rich and nutrient-rich blood to the heart. A heart attack is a condition when there is a sudden blockage of an artery, and blood flow to the heart muscle is restricted. The blockage is mainly due to the buildup of plaque in the coronary arteries. Heart attacks happen when there is a blood clot that restricts the blood flow, and this can be fatal.

Symptoms of a Heart Attack

It’s important to know the signs of heart problems, especially today, when heart attacks and cardiac arrests are causing so many deaths. Common heart failure symptoms in women include fatigue, shortness of breath, and swelling in the legs or ankles. Some of the visible symptoms of a heart attack are given below:

• Chest discomfort or pain
• Chest tightness or squeezing
• Pain in the arms, neck, jaw or back
• Cold sweat
• Nausea
• Heartburn or abdominal pain
• Shortness of breath
• Fatigue
• Dizziness or lightheadedness

The heart pain symptoms and their severity may vary from person to person. A heart attack can also occur suddenly. However, it is also possible that a person may show these symptoms hours, days or weeks before the attack.

Heart attacks can lead to cardiac arrest, where the heart stops owing to an electrical disturbance resulting in arrhythmia. Some signs of this condition include loss of consciousness or absence of breathing.

>> Check: 10 Foods to Keep Your Heart Healthy

Symptoms of Silent Heart Attack (Often Missed)

A silent heart attack, also medically referred to as Silent Myocardial Infarction (SMI), occurs without any obvious symptoms. Signs of a silent heart attack are quite minor and are often mistaken for indigestion, muscle pain, nausea, heartburn, or a bad flu. The other warning signs of a heart attack are: Other symptoms can be

• Mild fatigue or discomfort, often mistaken for overwork or poor sleep
• Throat or chest pain misread as acidity, indigestion, or heartburn
• Chest discomfort felt in the centre, not the left side
• No severe pain, making it easy to ignore
• Often goes unnoticed until diagnosed later

Don’t ignore these common heart pain symptoms; they could be signalling a more serious problem.

Factors that Increase the Risks of Heart Attack

Many people ignore the subtle signs of a heart attack, mistaking them for common ailments like indigestion or fatigue. Here are some of the major risk factors of a heart attack:

• Age: Although heart attack is affecting youngsters owing to their poor lifestyle, the risks are greater in elderly people, especially those above the age of 65 years.
• Gender: Men and women have their own reasons for a heart attack. Constant stress and the burden of responsibilities lead to coronary heart disease in men. On the other hand, stressful lifestyle, menopause, pregnancy complications, etc., have varied the heart problem symptoms in females and made them susceptible to heart attacks. Family medical history: If a person has a family history of heart ailments, then the risks increase.
• Lifestyle: Smoking, consumption of alcohol, poor dietary habits leading to high cholesterol levels, sedentary routine and stress, all contribute to the risks of a heart attack. A heart attack can even be caused due to a heavy physical workout.
• Ailments: Understanding the warning signs of heart attack can save lives. Hypertension and Diabetes increase the chances of a heart attack.

What to Do During a Heart Attack?

Many people dismiss fatigue or shortness of breath as simple tiredness or stress. But did you know these could be warning signs of heart failure? Recognising the symptoms early can help prevent serious complications.

When a heart attack strikes, one must call the ambulance and seek a doctor’s attention without wasting any time. It is important to stay calm and take slow, deep breaths until help arrives. Give them heart attack first aid.

CPR: Give CPR if the person doesn’t have a pulse or isn’t breathing. CPR is an emergency lifesaving first-aid performed if a person’s heartbeat suddenly stops due to a stroke or other critical condition. It helps to restore spontaneous blood circulation and breathing. There are 4 Levels of CPR: A, B, C and BLS. Different kinds of individuals perform these levels of CPR as the case may require.

>> Also Know the Complete CPR Procedure to Save Lives

Aspirin: Take aspirin, if recommended; it helps prevent blood clotting and may reduce heart damage.

Nitroglycerin: If the doctor has prescribed you nitroglycerin, then take it as directed.

Do Not:

• Don’t leave the person alone.
• Don’t let the person deny the symptoms.
• Don’t wait to see if the symptoms go away.
• Don’t give the person anything by mouth.

Safeguard yourself: Buy Health Insurance for Heart Patients

How to Protect Your Heart Health?

Understanding the signs of heart attack is crucial, especially for those with existing heart conditions or risk factors. By taking some preventive steps, one can avoid the harmful effects of a heart attack. This can be done by improving one’s lifestyle and taking timely medications in case of ailments like diabetes and hypertension.

Some lifestyle changes one can adopt include:

• Staying active and exercising
• Managing stress and anxiety
• Maintaining a healthy body weight
• Eating nutritious and low-fat foods
• Avoiding alcohol consumption and smoking

How Healthy is Your Heart? Find Out in 2 Minutes!

Every minute counts when it comes to heart attacks. Recognising signs of heart problems like chest discomfort or shortness of breath can save lives, and being financially prepared can save futures.

Health Insurance for Heart Patients

Recognising the signs is the first step, and being prepared is staying one step ahead. Knowing the signs of a heart attack can save a life, but getting insured helps protect it.

Health insurance for heart patients is a necessity in today’s times, when medical costs are rising. Stay protected with ‘Care Heart’, a health plan by Care Health Insurance, offering coverage for the treatment of pre-existing heart ailments. This heart health plan can be purchased either on an individual cover or a family floater cover with 2 adults.

If you are looking for protection against 16 common heart conditions and procedures, then choose our Care Heart Mediclaim policy. It offers individual coverage and a lifelong renewability option. 16 specified heart-related ailments are covered, providing coverage for IPD, OPD, Daycare treatment, pre- and post-hospitalisation, organ donor cover and a lot more. You also get global coverage and an international second opinion with the Care Heart Mediclaim policy.

Need Help Choosing a Plan?

Connect with our insurance expert for a free consultation: 1800-102-4499