What Can Heart Attack Pain Be Like?

Cardiology | by BMB | Published on 10/06/2022

If you often feel a dull ache or burning sensation in your chest and have ignored it for so long, you should consult your doctor right away. The pain might get severe and raise a concern related to a heart attack. Here we’ve discussed the heart attack symptoms and the risk factors associated with the same. Our experts practicing at the best heart hospital in Kolkata have helped us. So that you will be aware when you or a loved one requires medical assistance.  

Getting to know the heart attack symptoms:

Your doctor may use several pieces of information to come to the conclusion that you are having a heart attack. However, the symptoms can tell a lot more about your heart condition. The following are the symptoms that you need to know before seeking medical help. 

• Discomfort or pain in the chest: This discomfort or pain may feel like a tight aching, pressure, fullness, or squeezing in your chest and may linger for many minutes. This ailment may come and go.
• Upper-body ache: The pain or discomfort may spread to your shoulders, arms, back, neck, teeth, or jaw. You may experience upper-body pain but not chest discomfort.
• Stomach ache The pain may spread downhill into your abdomen and feel like heartburn.
• Breathing difficulty: You may pant for air or attempt to take deep breaths. This often happens before you acquire chest discomfort, or you may not have any chest discomfort at all.
•  Anxiety: You may get a sensation of impending doom or a panic attack for no apparent reason.
• Lightheadedness: In addition to experiencing chest pressure, you may have dizziness or the sensation of passing out.
• Sweating: You may suddenly break out in a chilly, clammy sweat.
• Palpitations in the heart: You may get the sensation that your heart is skipping beats, or you may just be aware that your heart is beating.

When is chest pain serious?

Unlike an aching knee or a sore lower back, chest pain isn't something you can put off until tomorrow. It is also not something that can be diagnosed at home. If you are concerned about pain or discomfort in your chest, upper back, left arm, or jaw, or if you suddenly faint or develop cold sweat, nausea, or vomiting, don't play doctor; go see one right away. 

When the pain is more likely to be a heart attack?

The type of pain you’re experiencing can tell a lot more about your heart condition. 

• The pain sensation comes along with the chest tightness or burning sensation.
• If you feel pain or pressure during or after physical exertion, 
• Diffuse pain along with constant pain at the center of the chest. 
• The pain can happen while you’re at rest. 

Do men and women have different symptoms?

As suggested by our experts practicing in the best cardiac hospital in India, women may often experience typical heart attack symptoms that include- 

• Neck, back, shoulder, or jaw pain
• Breathing difficulties
• "Heartburn" or abdominal pain
• Arm ache in one or both arms
• Vomiting or nausea
• Fainting or dizziness
• Unusual fatigue potentially lasts many days.

Risk factors associated with a heart attack?

A number of health issues, as well as your lifestyle, age, and family history, can all increase your risk of heart disease and heart attack. These are known as risk factors. Approximately half of the world's population suffers from major risk factors for heart disease: excessive blood pressure, high cholesterol, or smoking. 

Some risk factors are uncontrollable, such as family history or young age. However, you can reduce your risk by modifying the things over which you have control.

What is a silent heart attack?

To complicate matters further, some heart attacks occur with no typical signs or even any obvious symptoms at all.

If, for example, the clot restricting blood flow dissolves or becomes dislodged and is absorbed into the body, a silent heart attack may resolve on its own. However, a silent heart attack might still cause harm.

The majority of us are unaware of the warning signs and, as a result, ignore them. It is critical to have a cardiologist evaluate you on a frequent basis. You can consult our experts at one of the leading heart hospitals in Kolkata, who provide high-quality cardiac care.