The American Heart Associations lists the following as telltale signs of a heart attack: intense pressure, tightness, and feeling of pinching in the chest that last more than a couple of minutes. Pain in the arms, neck, and shoulders are other signs, as is anxiety, sweating, and nausea. The less identifiable symptoms may cause the loss of precious time in getting help and in averting long-term consequences.
Pain
Chest pain is the most common symptom of a heart attack. Other areas that can alert a person to a heart attack in pain in the jaw, upper back pain and arm pain. Arm pain is most common in the left arm but can present itself in either arm
Breathing Difficulties
Another red flag in detecting a heart attack is shortness of breath. A person may also experience sweating and dizziness. Nausea may also manifest. These symptoms can be caused be myriad things so always err on the side of caution if you ever suspect a heart attack.
EKG
An EKG, (electrocardiogram) is beneficial in picking up electrical activity and any damage that may have occurred to the heart. While there may be no physical or noticeable signs on a patient, an EKG is extremely useful to doctors in detecting heart damage caused by a heart attack and in determine the overall health of a heart.
Cardiac Blood Test
When a patient is absent of the most notable heart attack symptoms, a blood test can be extremely helpful. The presence of certain enzymes can help make a correct heart attack diagnosis.The creatine kinase test reveals increased levels of CK-MB levels which will peak roughly 18 hours after a heart attack and return the normal in 24 to 36 hours. Protein levels of troponins will also increase and can be detected by a blood test.
Unusual Anxiety and Fatigue
Unexplained feelings of anxiety and extreme fatigue may also signal a heart attack. These symptoms are most common in women. As many as 70 percent of women who have had a heart attack admit to overwhelming fatigue in the weeks leading up a heart attack.
Indigestion and Sleep Disturbances
Sleep disruptions and sleep disturbances are more subtle clues of a heart attack and should not be dismissed. Also increased or severe indigestion are other signs.
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