symptoms of heart attack
1. Know Your Blood Pressure and Monitor It Awareness is the first thing that needs to be addressed when it comes to the regulation of high blood pressure. Many individuals have been aware of their condition only after visiting a designated health facility during the time of a routine health check-upRead more
1. Know Your Blood Pressure and Monitor It
Awareness is the first thing that needs to be addressed when it comes to the regulation of high blood pressure. Many individuals have been aware of their condition only after visiting a designated health facility during the time of a routine health check-up. Recording the blood pressure reading, either conducted within the health facility or by the use of a digital blood pressure meter, enables you to become aware of the trigger causing the high blood pressure.
2. Rework Your Diet, but in Moderation
Diet is an important factor in managing blood pressure. Cutting down on salt is the most important aspect because excess salt in the body causes it to retain water, thereby pressing the blood vessels hard. However, this doesn’t mean that the food has to be unappetizing. Herbs, spices, lemons, and garlic can be used to add flavor to the food without using salt.
Emphasize an intake of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy foods. These foods contain plenty of potassium, magnesium, and fiber that help to maintain blood pressure levels. Avoiding foods like fried foods, processed meats, and sweet beverages can also work like wonders in lowering blood pressure.
3. Engagement in Physical Activity in Simple Ways.
Regular exercise makes your heart strong and better at pumping blood. It reduces blood pressure in your arteries.
You don’t have to exercise that much. You can begin activities like brisk walking, cycling, yoga, swimming, or simply household chores. All you need to do is perform them on a regular basis.
The aim is to do at least 30 minutes a day at a moderate level. If you have been living a sedentary lifestyle, it is always best to start off slow, 10 minutes at a time.
4. Managing Stress and Mental Wellness
Prolonged stress is a possible cause of high blood pressure. This could be due to work pressure, money worries, responsibilities in the family, or a lack of sleep. Stress cannot be avoided but controlled.
Activities such as deep breathing, meditation, praying, mindfulness, and spending time on hobbies are effective in lowering the nervous system. Small practices such as taking short breaks, reducing constant usage of mobile phones, and having quality sleep can prevent increased blood pressure levels caused by stress.
5. Keep Healthy Weights and Avoid Destructive Practices
An excess amount of body weight further stresses the heart. Simply by losing a little weight, one can readily reduce their blood pressure. In fact, apart from healthy eating habits, a balanced workout routine, avoidance of excessive drinking, as well as quitting smoking, can help reduce high BP. Smoking further harms the blood vessels. Moreover, smoking is a leading cause of heart attacks as well as strokes.
6. Follow Medications as Prescribed
For some people, lifestyle modifications by themselves may not be adequate, and the use of medication may become necessary. Medicines for the control of blood pressure are very effective and safe when used. It should not be stopped or altered without consulting the doctor even if the readings become normal.
In Summary
In When it comes to dealing with high blood pressure, it is important to make it clear that it is something for which there can never be any short-term solutions. A person can make minute changes in their lifestyle, which otherwise can go a long way in keeping their heart safe for a long time.
See less
1. Chest pain or discomfort The commonest symptom associated with a heart attack is chest discomfort or pain. This has been described as a sensation of heaviness, pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning sensation in the middle or left side region of the chest. This sensation can last several minuRead more
1. Chest pain or discomfort
The commonest symptom associated with a heart attack is chest discomfort or pain. This has been described as a sensation of heaviness, pressure, tightness, squeezing, or burning sensation in the middle or left side region of the chest. This sensation can last several minutes, or sometimes can and then go away. This type of chest discomfort does not, except under heart conditions, improve with rest or position change, unlike the common type, which hurts because of muscle strain or acid reflux disease.
2. Pain Migrating to Different Regions of the Body
Pain from a heart attack may not always be confined to the chest. Pain can radiate to the left arm, left side of the shoulder, neck, jaw, back, or even the upper abdomen. Many people experience left arm pain or stiffness that progresses upwards. Others experience pain or a toothache related to the jaw. This condition is commonly ignored or dismissed as a dental problem.
3. Shortness of Breath
Shortness of breath is another frequent symptom, and this may occur with or without chest pain. The individual feels abnormally short of breath while at rest or while performing minimal physical activity. This is because the heart fails to pump blood properly, hence resulting in a reduced oxygen supply to the body.
4. Sweating, Nausea,
Cold sweats are another common precursor during a heart attack. In this situation, the person suddenly breaks into profuse sweats without engaging in physical activity. Vomiting, nausea, dizziness, or light-headedness can also be experienced. These symptoms can sometimes be confused with food poisoning, especially if the person is not experiencing chest discomfort.
5. Unusual Fatigue and Weakness
Extreme or inexplicable fatigue could also be an initial symptom, especially in women. Indeed, the individual could find it unusual for them to feel so tired even after undertaking regular daily chores, or they could lack energy for no apparent reason. This kind of fatigue can occur hours or even days before an individual has a heart attack.
6. Symptoms in Women, Elderly, and Diabetic Patients
Heart attack symptoms may differ from person to person. Women may have variant symptoms such as breathlessness, feeling nausea, experiencing back pain, jaw pain, or just feeling too tired to get out of bed. Elderly persons and diabetic individuals are likely to have fewer symptoms or may not experience chest pain at all.
7. Anxiety or Sense of Impending Doom
Some individuals say they feel sudden anxiety, agitation, or a notion that something is terribly wrong. This symptom, by itself, does not guarantee a heart attack but should not easily be dismissed in the presence of other symptoms.
When You Must Contact a Doctor Instantly
When you or someone around you suffers from chest discomfort, pain radiating to the arm and/or jaw, shortness of breath, cool sweating, and weakness for more than a few minutes, it calls for immediate medical attention. This can help avoid serious damage to the heart muscle.
In Simple Terms
There are Often, a heart attack may not be as dramatic as people think. In fact, the symptoms of a heart attack may often be subtle, unusual, or even resemble normal complaints. Paying attention to your body can make all the difference when it comes to life and death. Identifying these symptoms is among the most vital factors in ensuring that your heart is healthy.
See less