How To Know If You're Likely To Have A Heart Attack And Prevention

A heart attack is a real risk. There's a misconception that every heart attack is a dramatic, gasping-for-air episode. This simply isn't the case. So, what are the signs?

Don't be tempted to dismiss any chest pain, as it could be a sign of a heart attack. When the heart muscle is starved of oxygen, it becomes damaged. Here is the checklist of what to look out for.

The Heart Foundation points out that if you're experiencing any of the following: Heaviness, Tightness, Pressure, Discomfort or Pain in any of these areas: Chest, Shoulder, Jaw, Arm, Neck, or Back for more than 10 minutes, then seek medical attention.

You may also experience sweating, shortness of breath, nausea, fatigue, or dizziness.

The Heart Foundation instructs that if you are suffering from angina (chest pain), you're advised to take one puff of "GTN spray and wait for five minutes. After the initial five minutes, "if symptoms persist, take another puff."

If after the second five minutes, the symptoms are still present afterward, then you can call your doctor.

Each heart attack can feel different, and if you've already had one, you're at more risk of having another one.

So, how do heart attacks occur?

The Diagnostic and Interventional Cardiology (DAIC) in their explanation of how heart attacks occur say, "the arteries that supply the heart with blood can slowly narrow from a buildup of plaque caused by fat and cholesterol." 

Plaques can become vulnerable to rupture due to inflammation. When a rupture happens, a blood clot forms that may block the blood supply to the heart.

How to minimise the risk of a heart attack

The DAIC stressed the importance of avoiding tobacco use and secondhand smoke.

Regular physical exercise can "improve cholesterol and blood pressure", and can "help you [to] reach a healthy weight".

Walking for 30 minutes daily can lower your risk of a heart attack, so it's wise to incorporate it into your daily routine.

A "heart-healthy diet" is encouraged. This involves "fish, fruits, vegetables and whole grains".

This also means limiting "saturated fats, trans fat, cholesterol, and sodium".

Instead, opt for unsaturated fats, such as canola, olive, peanut, and sunflower oils.

To help lower cholesterol and your risk of a heart attack, you'll need to avoid "cookies and packaged snack foods".

Another key element to reducing your risk of a heart attack is to "manage stress" effectively.

This can include exercise, deep breathing, meditation, or yoga. "Set goals that you can reach," said DAIC.

"Try to focus on one goal at a time. And reward yourself when you reach a goal."

It's also advisable to take medication prescribed to you by your doctor, for example, cholesterol-lowering drugs such as statins.

Moreover, do take the necessary steps to manage other underlying health conditions you may have.