The cardiologist told about the hidden symptoms of a heart attack

A heart attack is not always manifested by classic burning, pressing pains or "heaviness" behind the sternum, which in some cases makes diagnosis difficult and causes late medical treatment. Oksana Mikhailova, cardiologist at SM Clinic, told Izvestia about the hidden symptoms of a heart attack on May 19.

According to her, there are five known forms of atypical clinical picture of myocardial infarction. So, the abdominal form resembles disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. The patient believes that he made a mistake in his diet the day before, ate substandard foods, or contracted an intestinal infection. As a result, symptoms such as intense pain in the upper abdomen, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, bloating, heartburn, weakness, and cold sweats appeared. Most often, this form is mistaken for poisoning, or an exacerbation of known chronic diseases such as gastritis or peptic ulcer.

However, there is also an asthmatic form. It is characterized by symptoms similar to lung disease: dry, causeless cough (sometimes with foamy sputum), a feeling of lack of air, shortness of breath, suffocation, wheezing in the lungs while breathing. The doctor noticed: this form can occur without severe chest pain, general physical weakness and malaise are possible.

"There is also a cerebral (cerebral) form. It resembles a stroke or neurological disorders such as dizziness, general weakness, impaired speech or coordination of movements, nausea, vomiting, confusion, fainting," Mikhailova warned.

With an arrhythmic form, the cardiologist explained, the patient has complaints of heart failure or palpitations. Against this background, common symptoms of a heart attack are characteristic — general physical weakness, fainting, dizziness. With this form, fainting often occurs.

However, the pain-free (mute) form is considered the most hidden and dangerous. She doesn't have any specific complaints. Patients with pain-free form most often suffer a heart attack on their legs, attributing their well-being to overwork, "seasonal flu". Severe weakness, fatigue, sweating, pallor of the skin, a feeling of anxiety are characteristic, slight discomfort in the chest or discomfort in the lower jaw, in the ears is possible. It is more common in patients with diabetes mellitus and the elderly.

"Even in the absence of classical pain behind the sternum, it is worth being wary if unmotivated weakness, cold sweat, uncharacteristic shortness of breath, unexplained nausea/ vomiting, sudden dizziness or fainting develop," Mikhailova noted.

She recommended that you immediately consult a doctor if you suspect a heart attack. A specialist can take an ECG and perform an express blood test for markers of myocardial damage. A heart attack can develop covertly, and the speed of its treatment radically affects the future prognosis and quality of life, the cardiologist concluded.

Earlier, on May 15, Irina Volgina, associate professor of the Department of Therapy at the Medical Faculty of the State University of Education, told Izvestia about the danger of edema. According to her, the most common cause of edema is heart disease, which leads to heart failure.