How Do You Know If You Are Having A Heart Attack?

Most heart attacks are caused by a blood clot that blocks one of the coronary arteries. If the blood flow is blocked, this will prevent the oxygen to flow to the heart and heart cells lose life. Clots happen due to plaque built up along the artery walls. Substances like fatty deposits are called plaque. Sometimes, the plaques crack and trigger a blood clot to form. Plaque can also become large enough to rupture and completely block the arteries. Since substances that make the plaque are built-up over the years, then, heart attack can be prevented and controlled. The development to an attack is triggered by smoking, elevated sugar, high cholesterol, over-weight, family history, highblood pressure, lack of exercise, aging and stress.

Most heart attacks start slowly, as a mild chest pain or discomfort. It may come and go and sometimes unnoticed. It is often ignored because the chest pain resembles a heartburn which has nothing to do with the heart. This feeling is a burning sensation inside the chest that is caused by stomach acid backing up into the esophagus. 

So, how do you know if you are having a heart attack? Knowing the signs and symptoms of a heart attack is important to prevent you from becoming an emergency case. Be aware and be conscious and  of the following feeling:

• A tight band around the chest
• Bad indigestion
• Something heavy sitting on your chest
• Squeezing or heavy preassure

Other symptoms include:

• Cough
• Fainting
• Light-headedness, dizzines
• Nausea or vomiting
• Palpitation
• Shortness of breath
• Sweating
• Pain extending or moving towards the jaw, left arm or shoulder

If you think you are experiencing these symptoms or somebody with you is having a heart attack, immediately call for an emergency. Don't take chances by waiting out and expecting the signs to go away soon.  Immediately get medical examination even if the symptoms stop completely, It is better to sure than sorry. A life can be saved by making time for seemingly less important concerns without waiting for them to turn into life-threatening emergency.