“”Even though a seemingly healthy person may not have any kind of illness, suddenly experiencing severe heat in the middle of the chest, along with pain that radiates to the abdomen, might make one think it could be a gastric issue. However, if the pain persists and even worsens, spreading from the stomach to the chest, left arm, and jaw, you might wonder if it could be a symptom of something more serious, like a heart attack. Do you know which disease these symptoms indicate? How severe could it be, and if left untreated, could it lead to death?
Let’s find out what these symptoms indicate and what should be done if they are observed.
The symptoms I mentioned earlier are indicative of a heart attack. Dr. Hemel Saha, Assistant Professor in the Cardiac Surgery Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, stated that if such symptoms are observed, timely medical intervention is crucial; otherwise, it could lead to someone’s demise. There are several other symptoms of a heart attack that, when observed, require immediate attention in the emergency department of a hospital, as advised by healthcare professionals. These symptoms include:
Chest pain in the middle:
The first symptom of a heart attack is chest pain. Dr. Hemel Saha mentioned that the initial sign of a heart attack is pain in the middle of the chest. It won’t be just pain on the left or right side of the chest; rather, it will be centralized chest pain. Describing the intensity of the pain, Mr. Saha said it might feel like someone is squeezing the chest or applying pressure inside it, accompanied by a feeling of the chest bones breaking. According to the British Heart Foundation, if along with severe chest pain, one feels uneasy, it’s essential to seek the care of a doctor immediately.
Pain in the arm and shoulder:
Dr. Hemel Saha from the Cardiac Surgery Department mentioned that if chest pain radiates to the left arm and shoulder simultaneously, it’s termed radiating pain. People with diabetes may not be able to recognize this pain well, which can lead to major heart attacks even if they don’t realize it. Those who have had diabetes for a long time are at even greater risk!
Excessive sweating:
According to the British Heart Foundation, if one experiences excessive sweating during physical activity or in hot weather, it’s considered normal. However, if severe heat accompanies chest pain, it’s crucial to seek medical attention as it could be a symptom of a heart attack.
Severe abdominal pain:
Often, severe chest pain can radiate to the abdomen, leading many to think it’s a gastric issue, especially those who have been suffering from gastric problems for a long time. They might not realize that it could actually be a symptom of another disease. Physicians say that when chest pain becomes so severe that it also affects the stomach, it might be indicative of a heart attack, and if it’s not resolved, it might lead to more severe consequences.
Coughing and breathing difficulty:
If one moves towards heart failure after a heart attack or develops heart blockage, breathing difficulties start. When the heart fails or develops an acute heart attack, water starts to accumulate in the lungs, resulting in breathing difficulties.
Feeling faint:
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States, feeling dizzy and passing out due to heart attack symptoms might happen without any apparent reason. If chest pain is so severe that it causes someone to feel weak and confused, it’s another symptom of a heart attack.
Vomiting and nausea:
The British Heart Foundation states that vomiting and feeling nauseous might not necessarily indicate a heart attack, but if vomiting starts along with chest pain and discomfort, it could be indicative of a heart attack. Additionally, if weakness and fatigue accompany chest pain and there’s a feeling of being tired, it could be a sign of a heart attack.
If such symptoms arise without any apparent reason and you feel weak without any cause, alongside feeling chest pain and discomfort, it might lead to confusion, which could be a sign of a heart attack. If vomiting starts suddenly without any reason, and you feel weak alongside chest pain and discomfort, it could be indicative of a heart attack. These symptoms are seen more in women.
If immediate medical treatment is not sought after experiencing a heart attack, the doctors say that the blood vessels in the heart close, leading to a heart attack. To keep the blood flowing, one type of medication needs to be given, and to dilate the blood vessels in the heart, another type of medication needs to be given. If the doctor gives these, it can save a life, meaning the patient will survive.”