Mistaking heart attack signs for gas and acidity could cost you your life

Heart attack is the leading cause of death worldwide. This is a terrible truth we all know. We hear about it constantly, yet most people ignore it even after hearing about it. Ironically, not only ordinary people but even doctors sometimes make the mistake of ignoring these heart attack signs.

Surprisingly, even doctors themselves sometimes ignore the signs of a heart attack.

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Doctor Ignores Heart Signs

In a report in the English newspaper 'Indian Express,' the chief cardiologist at Sparsh Hospital in Bengaluru said, "A 58-year-old doctor colleague of mine had a habit of waking up at 4:30 a.m. and starting his day with yoga." But one day, he felt a little uneasy and dismissed it as normal fatigue and work stress, ignoring his session.

Repeated Symptoms Ignored

Then, at 10 a.m., he felt chest heaviness for five to ten minutes, accompanied by light sweating, which he attributed to gas produced by skipping breakfast and morning exercise.

Blocked Blood Vessels

At 12:30 p.m., he experienced persistent pain and excessive sweating. Only then did he take a rickshaw to the nearest hospital. His blood vessels were 95 percent blocked, and he needed stenting, a procedure to open blocked arteries and restore blood flow.

Heart Attacks Can Strike at Any Time

Many people don't realize that heart attack symptoms can sometimes occur in waves and intervals. One symptom appears, followed by another a short time later. Sometimes the initial symptoms are so mild and minor that people ignore them, thinking they're due to indigestion, physical stress, or blood pressure. This is what we call a stuttering heart attack.

What happens in a stuttering heart attack?

A stuttering heart attack is a type of heart attack that's different from a silent heart attack. In this case, heart attack symptoms are mild or come and go, often resembling gas or indigestion. This means that blood flow to the heart muscle is repeatedly blocked.

How to tell if your arteries are 90 percent or more blocked

It's impossible to diagnose this without checking for certain symptoms. Therefore, you should get an annual full-body checkup for conditions like diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure, and a family history. If you smoke or drink alcohol, quit and focus on improving your diet, physical activity, and sleep.

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Can even 10 percent plaque in an artery cause a heart attack?

Plaque in any artery can rupture and subsequently form a blood clot, blocking blood flow to the heart, leading to a heart attack. The extent of the blockage doesn't always matter. A low percentage of plaque doesn't guarantee protection against a heart attack, and your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes to prevent it, taking into account your other risk factors.