Emergency Urgent Care: When to Go to an ER: Heart Attack
Even though the heart is the organ responsible for pumping blood to the various parts of the body, it still has cells and tissues and therefore also requires to be serviced by blood vessels to get nutrients and oxygen. A heart attack occurs when these blood vessels that service the heart, also known as coronary arteries, are blocked leading to the blockage or interruption of blood supply to the heart. This blockage is usually as result of buildup of fat and cholesterol in the coronary arteries, which form plaque, and which eventually breaks away to from clots that interrupt blood flow to the heart. A heart attack therefore prevents the cells and muscles of the heart from getting much needed nutrients and oxygen, which damages the tissues of the heart. A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction as per the gurus over at frontlineer.com, is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate emergency urgent care at the ER. Time is also of the essence as far as a heart attack is concerned as the more time you go without treatment when having a heart attack, the more damage your heart muscles incur. It is important to know the signs of a heart attack so that you can be able to dial 911, get taken to an ER and get the treatment you require, and this article will look to help with that by highlighting the various signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
One of the most common signs of a heart attack is chest pain or discomfort. In most cases, a heart attack causes one to feel discomfort in the center or left side of the chest, which may last for more than a few minutes or may go away and then return again. Most people refer to this symptom as chest pain, but keep in mind that you may experience pain, which may be sharp or dull, or you may experience pressure, fullness or squeezing as well. You may also experience what feels like indigestion or the discomfort may not be in any specific spot or area. You may also experience discomfort that gets worse with activity and eases when you rest. It is also worth noting that the discomfort may not be restricted to the chest area as the discomfort may radiate towards other parts of the body such as the jaw, back, neck, abdominal area or both of your arms. If you experience these symptoms, you should call 911 as soon as possible so that you can be taken to an ER, such as the highly rated frontlineer.com, for treatment. Never drive yourself to an ER when experiencing signs of a heart attack.
Another sign of a heart attack is breathing difficulties. This includes shortness of breath and you may experience this with or without the chest discomfort. Any breathing difficulties should always be taken seriously, especially if they are accompanied with other signs of a heart attack. Other than shortness of breath, another sign of a heart attack is extreme anxiety and an overwhelming sense of impending doom, similar to having a panic attack. You may also experience sweating which is unexplained, even without activity which should also be taken seriously. This is usually referred to as a cold sweat. Another common sign of a heart attack is nausea and vomiting which is unexplained. If you become nauseated and begin vomiting all of a sudden, then it could be a sign of a heart attack and you should take it very seriously. You may also experience dizzy spells or feel lightheaded, which should also be taken seriously. You may also experience coughing, wheezing and other flulike symptoms. Remember, if you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you should call 911 as soon as possible so that an ambulance can be dispatched to your location and take you to an ER, like the excellent frontlineer.com.
It is also worth pointing out that women may experience different symptoms of a heart attack as compared to men. It is very likely that a woman may experience signs of a heart attack without chest pains or pressure as per the subject matter experts over at frontlineer.com. Instead, women are likely to experience pressure or pain in the lower chest or upper abdomen rather than at the center of the chest. Women may also experience pressure or pain in the upper back, which may feel like a rope being tied around you, rather than in the chest, as well as extreme and unexplained fatigue. It is therefore important as a woman to know that you may not always experience pressure and pain in the chest when it comes to a heart attack. This will help you know what to expect and look out for, allowing you to get the treatment you require. Signs of a heart attack in women can be a lot more subtle and that is why women are likely to suffer more severe consequences when it comes to heart attack as they may end up chalking up the signs of a heart attack to less serious conditions such as the flu or acid reflux.
The above are some of the signs of a heart attack that you should keep an eye pealed out for and if you notice any of them, call 911 as soon as possible so that you can be rushed to an ER, such as the highly regarded frontlineer.com, and get the emergency urgent care you require.
