Heart attacks, most often caused by underlying heart disease, are common in the United States, but some of the signs can be misleading.
Each year in the United States, about 805,000 people experience heart attacks, typically preceded by heart disease. On average, someone has a heart attack every 40 seconds. But it’s not always clear when a heart attack is happening.
In this article, we will delve into the atypical symptoms of heart disease and heart attacks that are often overlooked. We will also explore heart disease risk factors and effective strategies for preventing and reducing the risk of heart disease and subsequent heart attacks.
Primary Causes of Heart Attacks
Generally speaking, the primary cause of a heart attack is ischemia of the coronary arteries, known as coronary heart disease. This condition results from damage to blood vessel walls caused by factors such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and chronic inflammation. This damage leads to the accumulation of substances like cholesterol and platelets on the inner walls of the vessels, forming plaques that block or narrow the coronary arteries. Consequently, there is an insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle, ultimately triggering a heart attack. In the United States, coronary heart disease is the most common type of heart disease, accounting for over 370,000 deaths in 2022.
What are the differences between the common symptoms and atypical symptoms of a heart attack?
Common Versus Atypical Symptoms
Common symptoms of a heart attack typically include chest pain and discomfort, upper body pain, and discomfort in areas such as the arms, neck, and upper abdomen.
However, not all heart attacks present with noticeable chest discomfort. Some individuals may only exhibit atypical or subtle symptoms, which can be easily overlooked or misdiagnosed, and these symptoms are more prevalent among women.
- Silent ischemia: This refers to the absence of any discomfort in the chest or other areas, with signs of myocardial ischemia only being detected during an electrocardiogram or other examinations.
- Jaw pain and toothache: This presents as referred pain from heart disease, a type of pain caused by the nerves associated with the heart.
- Nausea and indigestion: This occurs because both the heart and the gastrointestinal tract are regulated by the autonomic nervous system. Myocardial ischemia can affect the motility and secretion functions of the gastrointestinal tract, leading to indigestion, abdominal discomfort, and nausea.
- Unexplained fatigue: Myocardial ischemia reduces the efficiency of the heart’s function, resulting in a lack of oxygen and energy in the body. This manifests as persistent fatigue and an inability to regain physical strength.
- Cold sweats, dizziness, anxiety, and shortness of breath: These are all warning signs of a heart attack.
Heart Disease: Risk Factors and Prevention
The onset and progression of heart disease are influenced by various factors. Some risk factors, such as age, sex, and genetics, are beyond our control. However, adjusting lifestyle and managing relevant health conditions can mitigate certain factors. In fact, 80 percent of the risk of heart disease is preventable.
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- Managing weight: Obesity increases the burden on the heart and is linked to metabolic conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high cholesterol. Maintaining a normal body mass index can lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoiding smoking: Smoking damages the blood vessel walls, increases blood viscosity, and promotes the development of arterial atherosclerosis. Quitting smoking or avoiding it altogether can improve blood circulation and reduce the burden on the heart.
- Limiting alcohol consumption: Excessive alcohol consumption increases the risk of heart attacks, heart failure, and mortality. Alcohol directly damages cardiac cells and impacts liver function, contributing to metabolic disorders. For men, it is generally recommended not to exceed one or two drinks per day, while women are advised to limit their intake to one drink per day. One drink equals 12 ounces of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of spirits.
- Adopting a healthy diet: It is advisable to avoid high-sugar, high-salt, high-fat, and high-cholesterol foods while incorporating fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet. Choose heart-healthy foods such as those rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fatty fish, and dark chocolate.
- Engaging in regular exercise: Physical activity promotes blood circulation, increases sensitivity to blood sugar, lowers blood pressure and weight, reduces inflammation, and improves cardiac function. It is recommended to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise daily, three to five times a week.
- Managing stress: Stress can stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, causing an increase in heart rate, elevated blood pressure, vascular constriction, and a reduction in the force of cardiac contractions, ultimately leading to an increased risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is crucial to learn effective stress management techniques, avoid excessive worry and anxiety, and engage in relaxing activities such as meditation, mindfulness, and listening to music. Ensuring an adequate amount of sleep and improving relationships with those around you also contribute to stress reduction.
- Addressing underlying conditions: Conditions such as high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and depression are major risk factors for heart disease. Failing to manage them promptly can accelerate damage to the heart. Therefore, it is essential to undergo regular checkups for indicators like blood pressure, blood sugar, and lipid levels and to take relevant medications as a doctor prescribes. If symptoms of depression arise, seeking psychological support is crucial to avoid the impact of low mood on cardiovascular health.
In summary, a heart attack is a serious health threat that can occur anytime, anywhere, and may even be fatal. We need to be vigilant about various signals of heart disease, especially some atypical or hidden symptoms, and seek medical attention promptly. At the same time, we should actively reduce the risk of heart disease by improving our lifestyle and managing relevant health conditions.
