Fact Shrine

Heart Attack Misconceptions

Onset of a heart attack is slower than many people assume. Rather than coming on quickly and resulting in sharp pains in the chest and left arm, heart attacks are often preceded by more subtle pains and clues. Another misunderstanding is that symptoms will only occur shortly before a heart attack itself takes place. In reality, while warning signs may be subtle, they often take place for days and weeks prior to a heart attack, making awareness of these symptoms key for prevention.

Heart Attack Warning Signs

Discomfort in the chest is a key sign (especially if it lasts for a long time) as are pain or discomfort in the arms, back, neck, stomach, or jaw. Pain anywhere in the upper body can point to a possible heart attack. Being short of breath or having difficulty breathing can also be a warning sign, even if it occurs separately from outright chest pain. There are also a few unexpected symptoms which nevertheless show up prior to a heart attack. These include a cold sweat, nauseation, and lightheadedness.

Relevant Medical Tests

As unusual as it seems, physicians can be as uncertain as patients about whether a heart attack has in fact occurred at times. To combat this uncertainty, a number of tests have been created to verify whether a patient has experienced a heart attack or something else. One is an EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram) and tests for things like enlargement of the heart and unusual rhythms in heart beat as well as heart attacks. Another is a coronary angiography, also called an arteriography. This test involves a thin tube being inserted through a limb to the heart to test for narrow arteries or possible blockages, which can evidence a heart attack.