It is very saddening to learn about the loss of young people due to manageable (in most cases) conditions like heart attacks. When in doubt, one must consult a doctor and get yourself examined. It is always better to be safe than sorry -says Dr. Saurabh Deshpande, a senior cardiologist from Mumbai.

Lack of awareness about the signs and symptoms of a heart attack becomes the prime reason behind the delay in treatment or even death in many patients. Read on the following signs and symptoms that a person experiencing a heart attack may feel-

Pain in the arm, shoulders, jaw, neck, back and especially on one side of the body.

  Tightness / pain /discomfort in chest

Sweating for no apparent reason

Lightheadedness

 Shortness of breath

 Fatigue

 Blurry vision

 Palpitations

 Coughing

 Headache 

 Nausea or Vomiting

  Indigestion or bloating 

What should be done in case a person experiences one or more of the above mentioned symptoms:

Can a person reduce the risk of a heart attack?

One can opt for healthy diet and lifestyle choices to keep his/her heart-healthy. Here are a few tips to follow:

Say no to smoking and alcohol.

Monitor your blood pressure levels regularly. 

Reduce the consumption of packaged, deep-fried and processed foods and choose a healthy and balanced diet.

Monitor your blood glucose levels to keep diabetes and other blood sugar related complications at bay.

Stay active and do a minimum of 20 minutes of exercise regularly.

Manage your stress and anxiety. 

Maintain your body weight in a healthy range.

Get regular health checkups done.

It is important to spread awareness about the signs of heart attack and the necessity to visit a hospital without delay to minimise the unexpected deaths due to unidentified symptoms of a heart attack. With the right knowledge and healthy lifestyle choices, we can create a healthier and happier world together.

This article is written by Dr. Nikita Toshi and reviewed by Dr. Saurabh Deshpande MBBS, MD, DM (Cardiology)

Disclaimer: The information included on this site is for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional. Because of unique individual needs, the reader should consult their physician to determine the appropriateness of the information for the reader’s situation.