The German Heart Foundation said that a heart attack occurs when there is a blockage in the blood vessels that supply the heart with oxygen and nutrients, the so-called “coronary arteries,” explaining that this condition occurs for several reasons, including the accumulation of calcium deposits in them. !
Coronary artery disease
Because this process is gradual, symptoms often appear before the blockage, when the blood vessels have already narrowed. This condition is referred to as coronary artery disease.
A common symptom of coronary heart disease is what is known as angina, which is characterized by feeling pain, pressure, or tightness in the chest, which makes breathing difficult. If these symptoms appear during physical exertion and improve with rest, it is recommended to visit a doctor.
However, even milder symptoms may herald a heart attack, so they should be medically evaluated; For example, if one has difficulty climbing stairs for more than two weeks, feels weak, has unexplained shortness of breath, or tires easily.
Impending seizure
The institution indicated that the matter becomes critical when angina occurs suddenly, even while resting. This may indicate an imminent heart attack.
This stage can last several weeks, but sometimes only for a few hours, especially if one wakes up at night with chest pain, which requires calling an ambulance immediately.
Common symptoms
During the heart attack itself, every minute counts; Because there is a risk of permanent heart failure and even cardiac arrest. Common symptoms include:
– Sudden onset of severe pain in the chest or behind the sternum that lasts for more than 5 minutes.
– Pain that spreads to other parts of the body such as the arms (usually the left side), upper abdomen, back, neck, jaw, or shoulder blades.
– Severe tightness and pressure in the chest.
– Severe burning in the chest, which may resemble heartburn.
Different symptoms in women
The Foundation noted that the symptoms of heart attacks often differ in women; Women sometimes suffer from non-specific symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, which may be confused with stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or unexplained fatigue, and this makes immediate diagnosis difficult.