Heart Attack Care You Can Trust
One person has a heart attack every 40 seconds in America. Heart attack signs and symptoms aren’t always what someone might expect, and one in five heart attacks goes undiagnosed each year.
Getting reliable, trusted treatment for a heart attack can prevent or limit damage to your heart. Your heart care team at AdventHealth Lake Wales, formerly Lake Wales Medical Center, is committed to empowering you and your loved ones with heart care education and prevention tips.
Our heart care center in Florida is here to help you reduce your risk of heart attack and heart disease. We can deliver the care and support you need to heal your body, mind and spirit after a heart attack.
We’re here to help you find the right physician or a location that’s convenient for you.
Understand Heart Attack Symptoms
When you think of a heart attack, you probably think of overwhelming chest pain, gasping for breath or falling over. However, the signs and symptoms of a heart attack aren’t always obvious.
The cardiologists and heart care team at AdventHealth Lake Wales are committed to empowering you through education. Take the first step to a healthier heart by understanding the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
- Early Heart Attack Warning Signs
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Because the majority of damage happens two hours after a heart attack, acting quickly can save a life.
Understanding the early warning signs of a heart attack can help you prevent heart damage and lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
Early warning signs of a heart attack include:
- Anxiety
- A Feeling of Fullness
- Back Pain
- Chest Pressure, Squeezing or Discomfort
- Fatigue
- Jaw Pain
- Nausea
- Pain That Travels Down One or Both Arms
- Shortness of Breath
Don’t wait for overwhelming chest pain to seek emergency medical care. Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the heart attack symptoms listed above.
- Heart Attack Symptoms in Men
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Men are more likely to experience certain heart attack symptoms compared to women. Symptoms can vary greatly between individuals, but generally, heart attack symptoms in men include:
Chest Pain
Chest pain is the most common symptom of heart attacks in men. Chest pain during a heart attack typically starts as mild pain or a feeling of discomfort.
Chest Discomfort or Pressure
Chest discomfort and pressure can be severe or feel like heartburn. Sometimes, it can feel like squeezing, pressure or what’s described as a feeling of fullness.
Pain in the Body
When a heart attack cuts off blood supply, you can feel pain in other areas of the body besides the chest. It may be a pain in the stomach, shoulder, arm, back, teeth, neck or jaw.
Heart attack symptoms in men can also include:
- Anxiety
- A Cold Sweat
- Fatigue
- Shortness of Breath
Before symptoms strike, make sure your heart is health with the men’s health cardio lab.
The more symptoms you have, the more likely it is that you’re having a heart attack. It’s also important to keep in mind that some heart attacks don’t have any symptoms.
If you think you or someone else may be having a heart attack, call 911 immediately.
- Heart Attack Symptoms in Women
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Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death among women and a cause of heart attack. However, recognizing its signs can be difficult.
Since women are less likely to experience sudden and dramatic chest pain, they are more likely to ignore the signs of a heart attack or attribute symptoms to feeling run down from busy schedules.
Learn the most common symptoms of heart attack in women and be prepared to seek help as soon as you need it. Chest pain is a common symptom of heart attack in women, but women are more likely than men to experience other signs, such as:
- Back, Neck, Jaw or Throat Pain
- Extreme Fatigue
- Indigestion
- Heartburn
- Nausea
- Shortness of Breath
- Vomiting
You can support your health before symptoms of heart attack or heart disease occur. Cardiology Care can help you manage heart disease and get you started on the right cardiovascular treatment plan for you.
- Silent Heart Attacks
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When you have a heart attack without any signs or symptoms, it’s called a silent heart attack. You may not even realize you’ve had a heart attack until your doctor discovers heart damage days or weeks later.
Most people mistake silent heart attack symptoms with indigestion, nausea, muscle pain or the flu. Some people face a higher-than-average risk of having a silent heart attack, and their risk factors include:
- Age
- Diabetes
- Excessive Weight or Obesity
- Family History of Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Lack of Exercise
- Tobacco Use
Signs and Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Heart attacks can happen at any time and are not always sudden and intense. Whether you’re at risk for a heart attack or not, it’s important to understand the universal signs and symptoms of a heart attack.
Knowing and recognizing heart attack signs and symptoms can save a life. When it comes to your heart, every minute matters. Signs and symptoms of a heart attack include:
Chest Discomfort
- Discomfort Lasts More Than Two Minutes and May Come and Go
- Squeezing or Tightness
- Uncomfortable Pressure or Heaviness
Discomfort In Other Areas of the Upper Body
- Back, Neck or Jaw
- One or Both Arms
- Stomach or Abdomen
Other Heart Attack Signs
- Cold Sweat
- Extreme Weakness or Fatigue
- Lightheadedness
- Shortness of Breath
- Nausea or Vomiting
If you experience any of these signs of heart attack, please call 911.
At a Moment’s Notice
If you are concerned about your heart health or are working to managing a cardiovascular disease, your AdventHealth Lake Wales cardiologist and care team are here for you.
Visit our Polk County heart care center for experienced, compassionate care to diagnose, treat and manage your heart disease.
Proven Care When You Need It Most
The American College of Cardiology has recognized AdventHealth Lake Wales for its demonstrated knowledge and commitment in treating patients with chest pain. We’ve been awarded Chest Pain Center Accreditation based on our staff’s ability to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients who may be experiencing a heart attack.
Hospitals that have earned ACC Chest Pain Center Accreditation have proven exceptional competency in treating patients with heart attack symptoms. They have streamlined their systems from admission to evaluation to diagnosis and treatment and give patients recommendations for lifestyle changes.