Experts have noticed a disturbing increase in heart attacks among young individuals compared to previous years, particularly in the 18-44 age group. Even those who appear to lead a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise and good fitness levels are not immune to this rising trend. Health professionals suggest that a sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and stress may contribute to this concerning phenomenon. Cardiologists emphasize that signs of a heart attack may manifest hours, days, or even weeks before the event, but individuals often mistake these symptoms for other health issues. For example, neck and shoulder pain, nausea, indigestion, and stomach discomforts are not usually associated with cardiovascular problems. Additionally, shooting pain in the arm or jaw could be early indicators of a heart attack, distinct from the traditional chest pain, heaviness, or tightness experienced during an attack. Recognizing these atypical symptoms beforehand allows individuals to seek help in time.
A recent report in DailyMail sheds light on lesser-known early warning signs of heart attacks that present in young, physically fit individuals weeks before the event:
- Sweating: Unusual sweating and shortness of breath, even without physical exertion, may indicate an impending heart attack and could manifest several weeks prior to the event, according to experts.
- Pain in the Neck and Shoulders: Approximately half of women may not experience the classic chest pain associated with heart attacks. Women, in particular, may feel persistent pain in the back, neck, jaw, or shoulders before or during a heart attack, as noted by Duke Health.
- Fatigue, Nausea, Sweating: Individuals may also report fatigue, nausea, and sweating, in addition to the aforementioned symptoms, alerting them to a potential heart attack. Dr. Deepak Bhatt, a cardiologist at Mount Sinai in New York, highlights waking up sweating more than usual as a red flag warning.
