10 Signs of a Heart Attack in Men
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A heart attack is known medically as a myocardial infarction. It occurs when blood flow to the heart is compromised due to a blockage in the blood vessels, resulting in ischemia and heart muscle damage. It can lead to complications, such as an irregular heartbeat, cardiogenic shock, and heart failure. Most cases of heart attack occur due to underlying coronary artery diseases. Risk factors of a heart attack include increasing age, male gender, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and stress.
Electrocardiograms (ECG), blood tests, and coronary angiography are some methods used to diagnose a heart attack. The treatment for a heart attack is time-critical. Aspirin can be taken for immediate treatment. Other types of treatment include nitroglycerin, opioids, beta blockers, statins, supplemental oxygen, thrombolysis, and percutaneous coronary intervention. Heparin can be used to treat a non-ST elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). Severe cases with multiple blockages may require a coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG). Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet, regular exercise, quitting smoking, lowering alcohol consumption, and daily aspirin therapy may also help.
Thirty percent of individuals experience atypical symptoms, which occur more often in women, diabetics, and the elderly. Approximately 5 percent of individuals above the age of seventy-five have little or no symptoms of heart attack.
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Heart Attack In Men Sign #1: Chest Pain
Chest pain is one of the most characteristic symptoms of a heart attack. The chest pain is often described as a squeezing or crushing sensation. It is as if a heavy object has been placed on the chest, causing difficulty breathing and tightness in the chest.
The pain does not change with body position and can last for more than twenty minutes. One of the classic signs of a heart attack, known as Levine’s sign, is when someone clenches one or both fists over his or her sternum.
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