When a clot blocks the flow of blood to the heart, a heart attack can occur, report doctors at the Mayo Clinic. The heart can be permanently damaged when the flow of blood is cut off for any length of time. Often the signs of a heart attack in men go unnoticed, as they might think they are having heartburn or indigestion from overeating. While the signs of a heart attack in men vary, there are symptoms that men should not ignore, especially when they are at higher risk for a heart attack.
Pain
The severity of the chest pain in men can vary from mild pressure to severe squeezing that lasts for just a few minutes. Chest pain may come and go for an hour or more. Men may feel full because of the pressure in their upper abdomen. Pain from a heart attack often radiates down the arm or over the shoulders and back. Some men feel pain in their jaws and teeth. The pain can be a sharp, stabbing, burning or cramping sensation, report doctors at Allina Hospitals and Clinics. While chest pain may be fleeting, one sign that a heart attack has occurred is when men feel severe abdominal pain that doesn't subside.
Nausea
Men may feel nauseous when having a heart attack and can even begin vomiting. They may break out in a cold sweat. Some men faint from the effects of the blockage. Many men feel they cannot catch their breaths as they fight the nausea. Men gradually feel weak all over, while women usually have a sudden consuming weakness take over. The color drains from the face, leaving men pale when they have a heart attack.
Anxiety
During a heart attack, men often have an impending sense of doom. Many of the symptoms of a heart attack mimic those of a panic attack and add to the fear and stress of the moment. Anxiety can exacerbate the signs of a heart attack and create additional damage to the heart. Anxiety often is accompanied by severe fatigue.
Risks
Men who are obese and have an inordinate amount of weight stored around their abdomens are at a high risk for a heart attack. Other risk factors, often behaviors congruent with obesity, include lack of physical activity, high blood pressure and elevated triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Men with diabetes or those who have been diagnosed with arteriosclerosis are at risk for having a heart attack. Smoking, stress and alcohol can contribute to the risks men take for having a heart attack. Additionally, men with a family history of heart problems should watch for signs of a heart attack, no matter how mild they might be.
