It is important to understand the signs of a potential heart attack and be able to recognize them quickly. While there are common symptoms that you may immediately think of as warning signs of a heart attack, there are uncommon ones as well. Knowing these symptoms will help your senior loved one in a medical emergency, where time is of the essence.
What is a Heart Attack?
A heart attack occurs when part of the heart muscle can't receive the necessary oxygen because of a blockage in one or more arteries. A buildup of fatty deposits on arterial walls usually causes this blockage. This plaque eventually causes ruptures and forms a clot which restricts the flow of blood to the heart.
Common Signs of a Heart Attack
Common signs of heart attack are:
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Sweating
- Pressure or squeezing in the chest
- Pain or discomfort in the arms
These common symptoms require immediate attention and should be treated as an emergency. In some cases, the signs of a heart attack can look different in senior men and women.
Uncommon Signs of a Heart Attack
It is important to recognize uncommon signs of a heart attack as well. While these uncommon signs of a heart attack are more likely to appear in women, they can arise in both genders. These symptoms may be mistaken for something else, but should still be treated with caution. These include:
Jaw Pain
Jaw pain or discomfort can be a sign of a heart attack. This symptom is often ignored as it can easily be mistaken for a mild headache or general weak feeling.
Nausea or Indigestion
The feeling of nausea or general indigestion is also a symptom that no one should ignore. Your senior loved one might also experience excess heartburn or episodes of vomiting.
Fatigue
Fatigue is also another uncommon sign to look out for. If your senior loved one is feeling more exhausted than usual, even after a restful night's sleep, this could be a sign there is trouble in the heart. It can also be a sign of other things, so you need to check for other common and uncommon signs of a heart attack.
Upper Abdominal Pain
Upper abdominal pain can also be an indicator of a heart attack. This symptom may seem out of place, as it is typically not considered one of the more common signs, but it should still not be ignored.
Partner With Senior Helpers Solano-Yolo-City of Sacramento to Care for Your Senior Loved One
It is important to keep your eyes open for unusual warning signs and treat them as potential heart attack symptoms. If you think your senior loved one might be experiencing a heart attack, seek the help of emergency medical personnel immediately!
In fact, the key to avoiding or reducing lasting damage is by responding quickly to any sign that indicates an issue with their heart health. It's also always better to err on the side of caution.
At Senior Helpers Solano-Yolo-City of Sacramento, our caregivers working in Sacramento, Solano County, Fairfield, Vacaville, Davis, and Winters can help in recognizing early signs of a heart attack. Contact us today and discover the ways we can help you and your senior loved ones!