12 Early WARNING SIGNS of a Heart Attack
A heart attack can happen anytime, anywhere.
And it can seem like it strikes without warning.
But the month before the attack, your body often gives subtle warning signs that can alert you to potential danger ahead.
Beware of these 12 heart attack early warning signs.
Researchers studied 500 women who had experienced a heart attack. Ninety-five percent said they noticed something “wasn’t right” in the month leading up to the attack.
The most common symptom was fatigue, affecting 71 percent of the women.
Nearly half said they experienced disturbed sleep.
Overall, the women noted 12 early warning signs that occurred a month before their heart attack:
- Unusual fatigue
- Sleep problems
- Shortness of breath
- Indigestion
- Anxiety
- Racing heart
- Weak arms
- Cognitive changes
- Vision changes
- Loss of appetite
- Tingling hands and arms
- Difficulty breathing at night
One thing you might notice about these symptoms is that they’re vague—and relatively common.
But when you add them together, they present a picture of a heart working too hard—and having trouble doing its job.
EVERYONE should take these early warning signs seriously. But if you have preexisting risk factors—like high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, or are a smoker—it’s even more critical to commit them to memory.
But sometimes the worst still comes to worst. That’s why I also recommend having an aspirin on hand and taking it at the first sign of a heart attack.
P.S. Already had a heart attack? A recent study uncovered a key superfood that can help lower the risk of a second cardiovascular event–and even death–in those who already have heart disease.
SOURCE:
“Women’s early warning symptoms of acute myocardial infarction.” Circulation. 2003 Nov 25;108(21):2619-23. doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000097116.29625.7C. Epub 2003 Nov 3. PMID: 14597589.
