Men who experience any of the warning signs of a heart attack should call
911 immediately. Heart attack is the number one killer of both men and
women in the U.S. Knowing the early warning signs of a heart attack is
critical for prompt medical attention.
Signs of a Heart Attack
The typical signs of a heart attack in men include:
Pain spreading to the shoulders neck or arms
Uncomfortable pressure, fullness, squeezing or pain in the center of the
chest lasting more than a few minutes
Chest discomfort, feeling light-headed, fainting, sweating, nausea or shortness of breath
Unusual chest pain, stomach or abdominal pain
Indigestion or gas-like pain
Pain spreading to the shoulders, neck or arms
Nausea or dizziness
Shortness of breath
Unexplained anxiety, weakness or fatigue
Racing heartbeat, cold sweats or paleness
In many men, the warning signs come and go, or the conditions only present
during physical activities such as playing sports or mowing the lawn.
If you experience any warning signs, it is a good time to make an appointment
with one of our cardiologists for a complete examination. With a series
of simple tests and some background information, your physician can determine
the best course of treatment and will be able assess your condition.
Risk Factors
The following factors can contribute to the likelihood of having a heart attack:
High Blood Pressure: Over time, prolonged high blood pressure (> 140/90) can damage arteries
that feed your heart its blood supply, contributing to atherosclerosis
(hardening of the arteries). The risk of high blood pressure increases
with age and can also be an inherited problem. Eliminating high sodium
foods and obesity will aid in keeping blood pressure down.
High Cholesterol Levels: Cholesterol accounts for a large part of deposits that can narrow arteries
throughout your body, especially the coronary arteries that feed the heart.
There is good cholesterol (HDL) and there is bad cholesterol (LDL). The
LDL cholesterol is most likely the cause of narrowing arteries contributing
to heart disease and is found in foods high in saturated fat. HDL cholesterol
helps your body clean up excess cholesterol and lowers your risk for heart disease.
Cigarette Smoke: Smoking and long-term exposure to smoke causes damage to the interior
walls of the arteries, allowing deposits of cholesterol to build up and
hamper blood flow. Smoking also increases the formation of blood clots
that can cause heart disease.
Obesity: Obesity raises the risk of heart disease because it is often associated
with inactivity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes.
Diabetes: Diabetes raises the risk of heart disease by speeding atherosclerosis
and negatively affecting cholesterol levels.
Stress: Too much stress can increase your risk for heart disease by raising blood
pressure. High stress can also lead to poor self-care — for example
eating high-fat foods and not exercising properly.
Alcohol: Excessive drinking can raise your risk for heart disease by raising your
blood pressure and raising certain types of harmful cholesterol levels.
Alcohol in moderation, however, can help raise HDL cholesterol levels
and help prevent heart disease.
Family History of Heart Disease: Family genetics may predispose you to increased cholesterol levels and
high blood pressure. You are at an increased risk if your siblings, parents
or grandparents have had early heart attacks. Unfortunately, we are unable
to change our genetic make-up. However, following a healthy lifestyle
will help decrease your chances of heart disease.
For more information on determining your risk for heart disease, please
visit your family practice physician.
The typical signs of a heart attack in men include:
Wesley Bennett, MDCardiologyView Profile
