Heart attacks are the result of blocked arteries, usually by fatty deposits called cholesterol. The common symptom associated with a heart attack is chest pain – a feeling of pressure, tightness or tightness in the center of the chest. However, chest pain is only one of many possible symptoms and responding to them can save your life.
Speaking to Express.co.uk, Dr. Alka Patel – general practitioner and lifestyle medicine doctor – described a plethora of unusual symptoms.
One symptom in particular reflects the extent to which the destructive effects of a heart attack can spread.
“Heart pain is not only felt in the chest – it can be felt in the teeth and jaw,” explains Dr. Patel.
“This is due to the location of the vagus nerve, which runs from the brain to the heart, lungs and intestine, passing through the mandible on its way.”
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As he pointed out, the telltale sign that his toothache is related to the heart is the absence of dental problems.
Another surprising symptom associated with a heart attack is a new and persistent cough.
“Although a new persistent cough is now firmly associated with Covid, if you know you have additional risk factors that increase the likelihood that you will have a heart attack, such as your family history or weight, if you smoke or have diabetes, and particularly in absence of fever, this may indicate that your lungs are congested with fluid due to the weakening of your heart, “warned Dr. Patel.
What’s more, your head may suffer a heart attack.
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Dr. Patel explained: “If your heart rate is out of sync and gives you palpitations or palpitations, it can signal a change in the electrical connections in the heart due to a heart attack.
“It can also create feelings of anxiety or discomfort that don’t seem to change.”
Other areas of the body affected by a heart attack include:
How to respond to symptoms
“Whether or not you have coronavirus symptoms, it is essential to dial 999 if you have symptoms that could be a heart attack or if your symptoms get worse,” advises the British Heart Foundation (BHF).
According to BHF, you should not worry if you are not sure whether your symptoms are a heart attack, it is very important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Then, you must:
- Sit and rest
- Take 300 mg aspirin if you have one within arm’s reach
- Stay calm and wait for the paramedics.
“People often rule out that they are having a heart attack and take too long to seek medical attention,” says BHF
He adds: “If you are with someone who is showing symptoms of a heart attack but is postponing or refusing to call an ambulance, it is very important that you call one for them.”
How to prevent a heart attack
Making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent a heart attack (or other heart attack).
One of the most important preventive measures is to avoid foods that increase the risk of heart attack.
“Eating an unhealthy diet, rich in fat, will worsen the hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) and increase the risk of a heart attack”, warns the NHS.
The worst offenders are foods high in saturated fat, like fatty cuts of meat, butter and ghee.