Coronary heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women each year in the United States according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. But due to improvements in medical care and awareness of signs and symptoms, people who suffer a heart attack can survive. Knowing the symptoms of a heart attack are important to surviving the event; symptoms may be somewhat different for men than women. Usually the symptoms start slowly; if a man notices any of these symptoms, he should seek emergency medical care.
Chest Discomfort
Chest pain is a common symptom of a heart attack in men. The discomfort varies and can take the form of chest pressure, tightness in the chest, heaviness or squeezing. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this sensation may be intermittent and sometimes the chest discomfort is confused with indigestion or heartburn.
Shortness of Breath
Another symptom of a heart attack in males is shortness of breath. The inability of the heart to pump blood and oxygen through the body may be the cause of the difficulty in breathing, says Dr. Lawrence Cohen in "Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book." According to the American Heart Association, this sensation may occur at the same time as the chest discomfort but can also happen before the chest pain develops.
Upper Body Pain
A man having a heart attack may develop discomfort in the upper body. The person may feel pain in the shoulders, the neck, arms, back, teeth or jaw, as noted by the Cleveland Clinic. The upper body pain may not be associated with chest pain.
Abdominal Discomfort
During a heart attack, a man may also feel some stomach discomfort. This discomfort may be in the form of nausea and vomiting; the Merck Manuals Online Medical Library notes that bloating and gas may also be symptoms of a heart attack. For some people, belching may improve but not relieve the discomfort. The digestive system requires significant amounts of blood to digest food and during a heart attack, the gut may not get enough blood flow.
Lightheadness
Lightheadedness or dizziness can also be a symptom of a heart attack in men. The man may also feel like he is going to pass out. This may be due to a lack of blood flowing to the brain because of the poor pumping of the heart, as noted by Cohen.
References
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: Heart Attack Warning Signs
- MayoClinic.com: Typical Heart Attack Symptoms
- Cleveland Clinic: Symptoms of a Heart Attack
- American Heart Association: Heart Attack Warning Signs
- " Yale University School of Medicine Heart Book"; Heart Disease Symptoms; Cohen L; 1997.
