The ‘earliest warning’ sign of a heart attack may involve an activity – what to look for

Heart attacks are often popularised as fast-paced and deadly, but the reality can be more pernicious. Heart attack symptoms can assert themselves long before the event itself. This is a reassuring revelation because it shows there is an opportunity to avert the deadly event.

As Mayo Clinic explains, some heart attacks strike suddenly, but many people have warning signs and symptoms hours, days or weeks in advance.

“The earliest warning might be recurrent chest pain or pressure (angina) that’s triggered by activity and relieved by rest,” says the health body.

Angina is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort caused by a temporary disruption in the flow of blood and oxygen to the heart.

Time frame is not only the variance – pain intensity can differ from person to person.

“For some people the pain or tightness in their chest is severe, while other people just feel uncomfortable, or pain similar to indigestion,” explains the British Heart Foundation (BHF).

In some cases, there may not be any chest pain at all, especially in women, older people, and people who have diabetes, says the NHS.

As the health body points out, it’s the overall pattern of symptoms that helps to determine whether you are having a heart attack.

What are the main symptoms?

• Heart attack symptoms can vary but the most common signs of a heart attack are:
• Chest pain or discomfort that suddenly occurs and doesn’t go away. It may feel like pressure, squeezing or heaviness in your chest
• Pain that may spread to your left or right arm or may spread to your neck, jaw, back or stomach
• Feeling sick, sweaty, light-headed or short of breath.

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Other less common symptoms include:

• A sudden feeling of anxiety that can feel similar to a panic attack
• Excessive coughing or wheezing due to a build up of fluid in the lungs.

How should I respond?

“If you suspect the symptoms of a heart attack, call 999 immediately and ask for an ambulance,” advises the NHS.

Do not hesitate to call paramedics, even if you have doubts.

“Paramedics would rather be called out to find an honest mistake has been made than be too late to save a person’s life,” says the NHS.

How to prevent a heart attack

Prevention is more important than reaction and making lifestyle changes is the most effective way to prevent having a heart attack.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is one of the most important precautionary measures you can take.

According to the American Heart Association (AHA), you should opt for diet rich in fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish (preferably oily fish-at least twice per week), nuts, legumes and seeds.

You should also try and eat some meals without meat, advises the AHA.

In fact, many studies emphasise eating a plant-based diet to reduce your risk of having a heart attack.

One large-scale study found healthy plant‐based diets – diets higher in nutrient‐dense plant foods and lower in refined carbohydrates and animal foods – were associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality and all‐cause mortality, but not incident cardiovascular disease.

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