Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. It affects both men and women and it is not just a disease of the elderly. In many cases, heart attacks and strokes can be prevented just by choosing healthy lifestyle behaviors. Heart disease is often called the "silent killer" because you can have it for years and never have any symptoms. This is why it is important to have regular checkups and know your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers. However, if you are at risk, there are some common signs of a stroke or heart attack that you should be familiar with.
Chest Discomfort
According to the American Heart Association, heart attack and stroke warning signs can be subtle in the beginning. In some cases, symptoms can occur suddenly and there is no mistaking that you are having a problem. At other times, the signs may not be so obvious. You should always pay attention to any chest discomfort. This can include actual chest pain, but also pressure, heaviness or tightness. Initially, the pain may come and go. There is a tendency to dismiss these symptoms as indigestion or heartburn. However, heartburn that occurs on a regular basis should always be evaluated by your physician. This is especially true for women, who do not always have the classic warning signs of a heart attack or stroke. Heart attack chest pain is different from heartburn because it tends to occur in the middle of the chest, keeps coming back with increasing intensity and tends to get better with rest.
Pain in Various Areas
In addition to chest pain, you can also experience pain in your arm, jaw, back, neck, abdomen or between the shoulder blades. Sometimes the discomfort starts in the chest and then radiates to another area. At other times, the pain may not be in the chest at all and just in another area of the body. This again is more true for women than men. Talk to your doctor about any undiagnosed pain in these areas. The Connecticut Department of Public Health states that many people do not consider pain in other areas of the body to be a warning sign of a heart attack or stroke and therefore may not seek treatment fast enough.
Trouble Breathing
The Commonwealth Registry of Nurses states that learning to recognize the warning signs of a heart attack or stroke can mean the difference between life and death. In addition to pain, you should be on the lookout for difficulty catching your breath. In the early stages of heart disease, this may just happen while exerting yourself. Depending on the type of heart disease you have, this symptom may only occur when you are lying down. However, sudden difficulty breathing or pain while breathing requires immediate medical attention.
Feeling Unwell
In some cases, you may (or may not) have the above signs in conjunction with a general sense of feeling unwell. You may be lightheaded, sweaty, dizzy and/or nauseous. You may experience fainting spells and even have a general sense of anxiety, doom or that something is wrong. Talk with your physician about any sensations or feelings that are not normal.
Numbness
While all of the above symptoms can signal a potential heart attack or stroke, there are also additional specific warning signs of a stroke. An early warning sign for a stroke may be a TIA or Transient Ischemic Attack. This is basically a mini-stroke that does not usually cause permanent damage but should be taken seriously. If you suddenly have trouble speaking or understanding speech, experience blurred vision, paralysis on one side of the face or body, trouble coordinating movement or a severe headache, you need immediate medical attention.
