Recognizing Pre-Infarct Symptoms: Understanding Angina and Heart Attack Warning Signs

2023-07-21 23:08:14

Pre-infarct is a term used synonymously with a condition called angina. This can be stable or unstable, the latter being more serious, since it can be the prelude to a heart attack.

Although it is considered a less dangerous condition, it is a sign of a malfunction in the heart and if something is wrong you should pay attention.

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Dr. Dante Lindefjeld, cardiologist at the Center for Cardiovascular Diseases at Clínica Universidad de los Andes, pointed out in an article published by the institution that “chest pain, called angina, is the most classic symptom of an acute myocardial infarction.”

“This is characterized by oppression on the left side or in the center of the chest, the pain can radiate to the neck, jaw, and left arm. Usually, it is also accompanied by a feeling of tiredness, profuse sweating, nausea, vomiting, among others,” he mentioned.

But sudden chest pain that causes a person to collapse does not always occur. There are symptoms that can be much more subtle and appear at various times.

The Texas Heart Institute warns of other signs:

-Constant discomfort that looks like indigestion.

– Uncomfortable pressure from the chest that radiates to the shoulders, arms, neck, jaw or back.

– Dizziness, fainting, sweating or upset stomach.

– Difficulty breathing without an explanation.

Unexplained anxiety, weakness, nausea, or tiredness.

– Awareness of having disturbances of the normal heartbeat.

– Unexplained sweat

– Paleness of the skin.

“If the pain lasts less than 10 minutes, it is likely that the damage to the heart muscle is imperceptible, both with imaging and laboratory tests. In this case, it is a pre-infarct. But if it lasts longer than that, it is highly likely that the occlusion causes damage to the heart muscle and becomes a heart attack,” explains Dr. Lindefjeld.

Many people do not associate these symptoms with a heart attack and do not seek medical attention early, but if you have any or more of these symptoms for five minutes or more you should see a doctor immediately.

The specialist assures that it is necessary to act quickly to avoid massive damage to the heart.

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Angina is a symptom of coronary artery disease and occurs when there is not enough blood flow to the heart.

Although you can learn to predict when you will have symptoms if your angina is stable, it is best not to downplay it and see a doctor, who will advise you on how to treat and care for it.

Remember that unstable angina pectoris is an emergency and may indicate that you are having a heart attack, as the specialized portal ‘Cigna’ points out.

LAURA ALEJANDRA ALBARRACÍN RESTREPO
DIGITAL SCOPE WRITING
TIME