Spot the warning signs

Dubbed as a “notorious, silent killer”, heart disease tops the list as the leading cause of death in Singapore.  Statistics have revealed that on average, the number of people getting heart attacks stands at 34, while 23 people die daily from heart disease. Also, with a rapidly ageing population, these numbers are expected to surge.

Myocardial infarction or heart attack can strike anytime. It occurs when the blood supply to the heart is insufficient or gets blocked. While some patients experience chest pains or cold sweat during the onset of a heart attack, others may not exhibit any visible symptoms at all. A heart attack brings with it several complications which can be mild or life-endangering.  These include –

• Arrhythmia – abnormal heartbeat which occurs following a heart attack due to the damage to the heart muscles.
• Heart failure – The heart’s inability to pump blood effectively after a heart attack causes severe damage to the heart muscle.
• Cardiogenic shock – considered more serious than heart failure, cardiogenic shock happens when the heart muscle has been extremely damaged to the point it can no longer pump enough blood to support most of our bodily functions.

Heart attacks can be largely prevented – however, recognising the warning signs is extremely important in preventing fatalities.

Discomfort in the chest

The most common symptom of a heart at risk is pain, tightness, or pressure in the chest area when having a blocked artery or a heart attack. This usually lasts more than just a few minutes and may happen while resting or during a physical activity.

Even if the pain was brief, it is still recommended to get medical advice. This is primarily because it is possible to have heart problems, including a heart attack without the presence of chest pain. This can be commonly seen among women, who may also display atypical symptoms such as a fleeting or sharp pain in the neck, arm or back. A sudden cardiac arrest sometimes can be the first sign of a heart attack.

Nausea, stomach pain, heartburn and indigestion

An upset stomach can be totally unrelated to the heart and could be the result of something that you ate. But, it is worth knowing that a stomach upset can also occur during a heart attack. Some people may even vomit. This symptom is again more prevalent among women than men.

Arm pain

A typical sign of heart attack, there have been reported cases where patients suffering from mainly pain in the arm were actually having a heart attack. Although, the pain can happen in both arms, it occurs most commonly on the left one. The pain usually starts from the chest, spreading down the left side of the body. You’d usually confuse it with just a normal ache. However, one sign that it might be the onset of a heart attack is if the pain worsens even after your arm has been resting for a few minutes. If the pain happens suddenly and is unusually severe, or if there is pressure or squeezing in the chest, it could be indicative of a heart attack.

Dizziness and light-headedness

A dip in blood pressure due to the heart being unable to adequately pump blood may be a reason for this. There’s a multitude of reasons when experiencing dizziness, such as standing up too quickly or not eating or drinking enough. However, a sudden bout of dizziness accompanied by chest discomfort and breathing difficulty calls for immediate medical attention.

Getting exhausted easily

If normal routines like climbing the stairs or carrying groceries that you once did easily are now causing fatigue and tiredness, it is crucial to consult a doctor straightaway. When the coronary arteries get blocked, blood flow to the heart muscle decreases severely, leading to feeling fatigue. Extreme exhaustion and unexplained weakness that persist for days can be a sign of heart disease, particularly for women.

A cough that won’t go away

A cough in itself does not signal heart trouble, but for those at risk, it’s a sign not to be ignored. A relentless cough that produces a pink or white phlegm could be a sign of a failing heart. This occurs when the heart is unable to meet the body’s needs, and therefore causes blood to leak back into the lungs.

It is worth noting that with heart attack symptoms, it’s not a one size fits all. Women may be prone to more subtle and uncommonly seen symptoms of a heart attack such as indigestion, interrupted sleep, nausea and sudden bouts of weakness. Older adults with pre-existing conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure have higher chances of experiencing silent heart attacks.

Recognising these symptoms is vital in preventing a full-blown heart attack. Heart attack symptoms that last more than five minutes can elevate the risk of damage to the heart muscle cells. Therefore, it would be wise to dial 911 to seek medical attention as soon as you experience any of these above-mentioned symptoms, or speak with your doctor if there are other symptoms that you are experiencing that cause concern.