Heart Attack; Early Symptoms and How to Survive It When You Are Alone

A heart attack is a frightening event especially when you are alone and no one can help you. Heart attacks are not always sudden; there can be signs for days or weeks that indicate trouble. Knowing its early symptoms that you are potentially suffered from heart attack may prepare you if some times you have to face it and you can save your own life.

What are the signs of a heart attack? The truth is that many heart attacks start slowly, as a mild pain or discomfort. If you feel such a symptom, you may not be sure what's wrong. Your symptoms may even come and go. Therefore it is vital to know the warning signs of heart attack.

1.                   Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts for more than a few minutes, or goes away and comes back. The discomfort can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, or pain.
 

2.                   Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. It can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw, or stomach.
 

3.                   Shortness of breath. It often comes along with chest discomfort. But it also can occur before chest discomfort. Recognize that being short of breath after physical activity is normal, but if shortness of breath occurs after walking a block or two, climbing a flight of stairs or even lying in bed, see your doctor immediately.

4.                   Breaking out in a cold sweat. It is often followed by nausea and lightheadedness. Feelings of anxiety or nervousness may accompany these symptoms.

Many heart attacks are survivable, especially if you've taken the time to prepare yourself.  Anyone who thinks they're at risk for a heart attack should get a complete medical evaluation as soon as possible. The worst thing is that you have no one to help you. You are alone at home. Then, what should you do?

• Don’t panic! The condition of your heart will be so much worse if you are panic.
• You have only 10 seconds before you lose your consciousness
• Coughing repeatedly and very vigorously and take a deep breath before every cough.
• Keep breathing and coughing until your hear beats normal again.

Deep breaths take oxygen into the lungs and coughing movements squeeze the heart and keep the blood circulating. Call helps immediately if your heart beats normally again.