Heart Attack
Alternate Names : Myocardial Infarction, MI
What are the signs and symptoms of the condition?
The most common symptom of a heart attack is chest pain, or angina. Angina is often described as a feeling
of crushing, pressure, fullness, heaviness, or aching in the center of the
chest. These sensations may extend into the neck, the jaw, and down the left
arm. Angina is often associated with other symptoms, including:
excessive sweating
feelings of apprehension
nausea
shortness of breath
weakness
The type of angina known as stable
angina is brought on by exertion and relieved by rest or nitroglycerin.
The type of angina known as unstable
angina is more frequent and more severe. It can occur even when the
person is resting. Unstable angina is a medical emergency.
Usually, angina is very uncomfortable. However, in some cases, symptoms are mild
enough to be discounted as indigestion. A person may deny
the chest pain and delay seeking help. Someone who has
diabetes may not experience classic
angina symptoms. The person
with diabetes can have a heart attack
without knowing it.
|
Previous section
