Recognizing a Heart Attack or Angina
Even if you keep your risk factors for heart disease under control, you should always be on the lookout for heart problems. If you have a sudden heart problem, prompt treatment could save your life.
Understanding Heart Problems
Sudden heart problems include:
A heart attack, which causes pain and pressure in the chest. Pain in the back, neck, jaw, or arm can also occur.
Angina, chest pain that signals a lowered amount of blood flow to the heart.
Recognizing Silent Problems
Normally, your body warns you of a problem by making you feel pain. But over time, high blood sugar can damage nerves in your body. This may keep you from feeling pain caused by a heart problem. A heart attack with little or no pain is called a silent heart attack. Angina that you’re not able to feel is called silent ischemia. Women and people with diabetes have a higher risk for silent heart problems.
When to Call Emergency Services
If you have symptoms that you can’t explain, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. You may be having a heart attack or angina if you have one or more of the following symptoms for no reason:
Shortness of breath or trouble breathing
Heavy sweating
Tiredness, weakness, or faintness
Nausea or vomiting
Dizziness
Severe indigestion or heartburn
Heart palpitations (rapid heartbeat)
Pain or pressure in your chest, back, neck, jaw, or arm
(NOTE: there may be no pain during a silent heart problem)