A study last year found that people often have the same symptom more than a month before they have a heart attack. The research looked at 242 people who had a heart attack.
Out of these, 100 people had minor symptoms before their heart attack. The study, published in Cureus, found that chest pain was the most common symptom. 68% of people had it before their heart attack.
Almost half (32%) had this symptom more than a month before their heart attack. Other symptoms included feeling heavy in the chest (44%), heart palpitations (42%), shortness of breath (34%), and a burning feeling in the chest (27%). Some people also felt unusually tired (23%) or had trouble sleeping (22%).
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Other research has shown that chest pain can be a sign of a future heart attack. This pain feels like pressure, heaviness, tightness, or squeezing across your chest. Research supported by NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West Midlands found that Brits with unexplained chest pain were 15% more likely to have a heart attack in the first year. This risk continued for 10 years after their first doctor’s appointment.
This research looked at GP, hospital, and death data from 2002-2018. It included over half a million adults who had never had chest pain or heart disease before.
The study compared heart-related outcomes, like heart attacks and strokes, in people with unexplained chest pain and those whose chest pain was due to non-heart-related reasons, such as muscle issues.
It can be tricky for doctors to diagnose heart-related chest pain because the symptoms might be mistaken for other common conditions, like muscle problems or stress. Plus, blockages in the tiny blood vessels that supply the heart are too small to see with usual tests.
The researchers think that better targeting of patients with unexplained chest pain who also have a high-risk profile could help prevent future heart attacks. Using non-invasive methods, like heart X-rays, in those with unexplained chest pain and a high-risk profile might help spot early signs of a heart attack.
Professor Kelvin Jordan, who led the project and is a Professor of Biostatistics at Keele University’s School of Medicine, said: “Chest pain is a common reason to go and see a GP. There are many potential causes of this pain and often patients do not receive a specific diagnosis. Our study suggests that these patients are more likely to have a future heart attack than patients given a non-cardiac reason for their chest pain.”
“We now aim to identify common factors in patients who did go on to suffer a heart attack. This information will help GPs identify those patients with unexplained chest pain who are most at risk so they can be offered medication or further support at an earlier stage to reduce likelihood of a future heart attack.”
The NHS advises that if you think someone might be having a heart attack, call 999 straight away. The quicker you act, the better their chances. “If aspirin is available and you are not allergic to it, slowly chew and then swallow an adult-size tablet (300mg) while you wait for the ambulance,” suggests the health body.
Aspirin helps to thin your blood and improve blood flow to your heart.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
