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Heart attack is one of the heart problems that occurs when there is a blockage in the bloodstream inside heart muscle causing uneven amount of oxygen flowed throughout the body and can causing death. This is caused by many things, one of cause is an unhealthy lifestyle.

Based on data from the Ministry of Health, heart disease is the second most common cause of death in Indonesia. There are still many people who think that the main characteristic of a heart attack is pain in the chest. However, in recent decades, scientists have discovered that the symptoms of a heart attack are vague and can occur in a number of ways. Depending on several factors such as gender, age factor, and the type of heart attack experienced.

Symptoms of heart attack

The buildup of fatty plaque in the arteries can cause damage to blood vessels and heart organs. This excessive plaque can cause blood vessels to naturally block or narrow leading to heart attacks, chest pain, and strokes. This condition is also known as coronary artery disease.

This health problem can develop over time and can get worse. In fact, its development can occur in childhood or adolescence. So, what are the symptoms of heart disease? Here are some of them:

1. Uncomfortable feeling in the chest

Discomfort in the chest is one of the most common signs of heart disease and should be watched out for. It is true, when a person experiences a blockage in the arteries or a heart attack, there will be pain, tightness, and pressure in the chest. These symptoms will usually be felt for a few minutes and can appear when the body is resting or doing physical activity. However, it is possible that the discomfort in the chest which is a sign of a heart problem is not felt, especially in women. That is, you must know the other symptoms of this one health problem.

2. Dizzy

There are many conditions that cause a person to experience weakness or loss of balance. It could be, you don't get food or drink intake according to your body's needs, it could also be because you stand up too quickly after sitting for a long time. However, if you feel a headache with shortness of breath, even to the point of feeling like you want to pass out, you need to do a self-examination to the hospital so that you can get treatment immediately.

3. Pain that radiates to the arm

Pain radiating to the left side of the chest is also a symptom of a heart attack that is often felt. This is the reason why, when you feel chest discomfort and pain spreading to the arm, you should immediately consult a doctor. If it is true because of health problems in the heart, of course, treatment can be done immediately so that complications can be prevented.

4. Snoring

Just like headaches, there are quite a few factors that can cause a person to snore while sleeping. One of them is a heart health problem. If a person is snoring loudly and gasping for air, it could be sleep apnea.

Don't underestimate it, sleep apnea can cause breathing to stop for a moment several times. This is certain to have a negative effect on the heart. So, immediately do a health check if you experience it.

Those are a number of signs or symptoms of heart disease that you should be aware of. There are many ways to maintain heart health, such as exercising regularly and adopting a healthy lifestyle. The heart is one of the vital organs of the body so it is very important to maintain its health.

First aid for heart attack

If heart attack is occured, you can do the following steps:

Stop all of current activities, then find a place to rest. If possible, choose place that close to the door or easy to reach by the Emergency Medical Team. For example, when you are driving, pulling it on the side of the road, then ask for help from people that passing by.
After resting, contact emergency services or people as quickly as possible so that they can provide medical help immediately. With rapid medical treatment, damage to the heart muscle can be minimized.
While waiting for the arrival of medical assistance, drink aspirin or blood -thinning drugs with doctors prescribe. This drug can increase the chance to survive when facing sudden attacks.
After taking medicine, lay down and rest again while waiting for help to come.

How to prevent heart attacks

1. Make sure your blood pressure is well controlled

Have you ever measured blood pressure? Blood pressure must be controlled because it can be one of the risk factors for heart attacks. Reduce salt intake and drug consumption according to the doctor's recommendation so that blood pressure stays normal.

2. Take care of your cholesterol level

The level of cholesterol also needs to be considered to remain at normal limits because it can cause atheroclerosis plaque inside heart.

3. Control blood sugar levels

High blood sugar or diabetes mellitus is a disease that is often associated with heart disease. High blood sugar levels can cause damage from blood vessels, including heart blood vessels. Therefore, don't hesitate to check blood sugar levels and make sure your blood sugar is controlled.

Above are signs and symptoms of a heart attack that needs to be watched out for. If you have complaints in the heart, don't hesitate to consult a doctor to find out the right causes and treatment, such as with PCI.