A heart attack, or myocardial infarction, can happen to both men and women. According to American Heart Association (AHA), 565,000 men in 2006 had heart attacks that resulted in 76,100 deaths. It is important for men to know and recognize the symptoms of a heart attack in order to receive prompt medical attention. The sooner treatment is received, the more likely a man is to survive a heart attack. Although not all men have the same symptoms when having a heart attack, and some men may not have any at all, there are some common symptoms.
Abnormal Heart Rate and Palpitations
When having a heart attack, men may feel their heart beating very rapidly, or feel that their heart is skipping beats. Some experience a heavy pounding sensation known as palpitations. Ninety percent of men who have heart attacks have palpitations, according to "Merck Manual." Pain plus blood abnormalities due to irregular heart beat cause the body to release a large amount of chemicals called catecholamines. This surge of chemicals can cause heart palpitations.
Angina and Chest Pain
Angina, or a feeling of discomfort or pain in the center of the chest, is common. The AHA reports that out of 565,000 men who had heart attacks in 2006, 320,000 had stable angina, or chest pain that occurs with stress or activity. Angina pain or discomfort is caused by decreased blood flow to a part of the heart muscle. If asked, men who had a heart attack may say they had a heavy feeling, or that their chest felt tight. Other men may describe their chest as being achy or being numb. Some men describe feeling as if a truck ran over their chest. Other men may mistake these symptoms as heartburn or think that their discomfort is due to eating something that did not agree with them. Unstable angina, or chest pain while at rest, may last 15 minutes or longer, or may come and go.
Spreading Pain
Men who are having a heart attack can have pain that spreads to other areas. These areas may include the left shoulder, the left arm, the back, the neck, the jaw and sometimes even the teeth. Men may also have pain in the upper stomach area.
Shortness of Breath
Difficult breathing that does not match physical activity is another common symptom of a heart attack. Men with this symptom feel short of breath. Shortness of breath can occur when the heart damage causes a reduced output or failure of the heart's left ventricle. This then results in pulmonary edema where the main symptom is shortness of breath.
Sweating
Men who have a heart attack may suddenly sweat very heavily, or have sweating and cold chills at the same time. This is another sign that there has been a massive release of catecholamines and that the heart is beating in an abnormal rhythm. The catecholamines can cause the sudden sweating and chills. These feelings may be associated with a sense of anxiety, or a fear or sense of dying.
Fainting
Feelings of being very weak, dizzy, light-headed, or experiencing fainting can be symptoms of a heart attack in men. The lips, hands or feet may take on a slight bluish color indicating a lack of oxygen. Blood carries oxygen. Not enough blood reaching the brain or other parts of the body because the heart is not pumping correctly causes these symptoms.
Nausea and Vomiting
Men can feel nauseous and/or vomit. The massive release of catecholamines from the damaged heart result in these symptoms.
