The No. 1 cause of death in both men and women is heart disease. Heart attacks do not always happen like they do in the movies. Heart attacks can happen suddenly or silently, but warning signs may occur for many people hours, days or weeks in advance. Knowing these signs and symptoms can help you save your life or the life of someone you love.
What are the signs to look out for?
Here are some of the most common signs of a heart attack that you may experience a month before the actual event:
1. Chest pain
- Chest pain or discomfort is one of the most common signs of a heart attack. It may feel like a pressure or tightness in the chest, or like someone is squeezing your chest. The pain may also radiate to your arms, neck, jaw, back, or stomach and is often associated with shortness of breath, sweating, nausea or vomiting.
- If you experience chest pain or discomfort that lasts for more than a few minutes, seek medical attention right away. Don’t wait to see if it goes away on its own, as this could be a sign of a heart attack. It’s important to note that not everyone who has a heart attack experiences chest pain, and some people may only have mild or no symptoms at all.