A heart attack is a serious medical emergency. When it happens, you should call emergency services right away.
But sometimes, your body gives warning signs weeks before the heart attack actually occurs. Paying attention to these early signs can help save your life.
Let’s first understand what a heart attack is. Your heart needs a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which it gets from blood vessels called coronary arteries. A heart attack happens when one of these arteries gets blocked.
One reason for this blockage is the buildup of calcium deposits over time. These deposits slowly narrow the arteries, and this condition is called coronary heart disease. Because the narrowing happens gradually, warning symptoms may show up even before the artery is completely blocked.
One common early sign of coronary heart disease is chest pain or pressure, also called angina pectoris. You may feel tightness in your chest and have trouble breathing. This usually happens during physical activity and goes away when you rest. If you notice this happening, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.
Even mild symptoms can be early warning signs and should not be ignored. If you’ve been feeling weak, tired quickly, short of breath, or have had trouble climbing stairs for more than two weeks, it’s time to visit your doctor.
Things get more serious when you start feeling chest pain or pressure while resting. This could be a sign that a heart attack is near. This warning phase can last for weeks or just a few hours.
For example, if you wake up in the middle of the night with chest pain, do not wait—call emergency services immediately. In the case of a heart attack, every minute matters. Waiting too long can lead to permanent heart damage or even sudden death.
Here are some typical symptoms of a heart attack:
Strong pain in the chest or behind the breastbone that lasts more than five minutes.
Pain that spreads to the arms (usually the left arm), back, neck, jaw, shoulder blades, or upper stomach.
A feeling of intense pressure or tightness in the chest, like an elephant is sitting on it.
A burning feeling in the chest, which can sometimes feel like heartburn.
It’s also important to know that heart attack symptoms can be different in women. Instead of the classic chest pain, women might feel pain in the upper belly, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, light-headedness, or unusual tiredness. These signs can be confusing and are sometimes mistaken for less serious problems like a stomach ache.
Even doctors sometimes find it hard to recognize a heart attack right away, especially in women. That’s why it’s so important to trust your instincts. If something feels wrong, call a doctor or emergency services. It’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If you care about heart disease, please read studies that herbal supplements could harm your heart rhythm, and how eating eggs can help reduce heart disease risk.
For more health information, please see recent studies that apple juice could benefit your heart health, and results showing yogurt may help lower the death risks in heart disease.
Copyright © 2025 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
