Being able to spot the symptoms of a heart attack could save your life.

We never recommend Googling your symptoms. After all, you’ll probably find that your symptoms are caused by something minor and innocuous or something as serious as a heart attack. In all seriousness though, a heart attack is nothing to joke about, but it is important to discern when your symptoms warrant a trip to the ER or a checkup with our West Monroe, LA, cardiologist Dr. Virginia Gonzalez for further evaluation.

What are the signs and symptoms of a heart attack?

Common warning signs of a heart attack include,

• Chest pain that is often described as crushing, squeezing, pressure or fullness
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Shortness of breath
• Pain that radiates to the jaws, neck, shoulders, arms or back
• Breaking out into a cold sweat
• Severe heartburn

While these are classic symptoms, not everyone will experience a heart attack in the same way. Women are more likely to deal with less obvious symptoms such as fatigue, vomiting or nausea.

What should I do if I think I’m having a heart attack?

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of a heart attack, you should never ignore it. Always call 911 right away or have someone drive you to the closest West Monroe, LA, emergency room for treatment. While it’s true that other conditions can mimic the symptoms of a heart attack it’s always best to play it safe and rule out a heart attack.

What causes a heart attack?

Most heart attacks occur as a result of a blockage in one or more blood vessels that lead to the heart. While a heart attack can occur without a blockage, it is incredibly rare and may be the result of an arterial spasm, electrolyte imbalance or rare medical condition that causes narrowing of the blood vessels.

What are the risk factors for a heart attack?

While anyone can experience a heart attack, there are indeed certain factors that can increase your chances of having one. Some of these risk factors include,

• A family history of heart attack or heart disease
• Older age
• Sedentary lifestyle
• A poor diet that’s high in sodium and sugar
• Smoking
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Eating disorders

If you have a family history of heart disease including heart attack, it’s a good idea to visit our West Monroe, LA, cardiologist once a year for a comprehensive checkup to make sure that your heart is healthy. To schedule a checkup, call Cardiovascular Diagnostic Center at (318) 338-3540.