Don’t Ignore the Signs: Understanding the Subtle Symptoms of a Heart Attack
The typical image of a heart attack involves a sudden, intense chest pain that immediately incapacitates the person. However, while some heart attacks are abrupt, many others develop gradually, starting with discomfort or mild pain. In fact, a person may experience symptoms for hours before recognizing that they are having a heart attack.
More Than 150,000 Canadians Suffer from a Heart Attack Each Year.
Improving heart health can be achieved through simple lifestyle adjustments. For seniors recovering from a heart attack or aiming to lower their risk of cardiac issues, incorporating enjoyable habits such as regular exercise, sharing healthy meals with family and friends, and prioritizing positive mental health can be very beneficial.
What Does a Heart Attack Look Like?
Knowing what signs to look for can save critical time, and it’s important to be aware of the signs:
#1. Chest discomfort:
The chest pain associated with a heart attack doesn’t feel the same for everyone. Some people experience squeezing, discomfort or a feeling of fullness.
#2. Pain or discomfort throughout the body:
Heart attack pain isn’t limited to the chest area. Heart attack symptoms can include soreness in the neck, arms, jaw or back, or a combination of these. Women are more likely than men to experience jaw and back pain when suffering from a heart attack.
#3. Shortness of breath:
Shortness of breath is a heart attack symptom that is not usually recognized as one. However, those vulnerable to heart problems should be aware of any sudden breathing problems, especially if combined with other symptoms
#4. Nausea:
Lightheadedness, vomiting, cold sweats and nausea are also symptoms that are not often associated with a heart attack, but can signal the onset of one.
Early detection of a heart attack can help prevent damage to the heart, brain and body. If you witness someone having these symptoms, or you feel them yourself, it’s important to call 911 and seek medical attention immediately.
Types of Heart Attacks:
#1. NSTEMI:
NSTEMI heart attacks happen when blood flow to the heart through a coronary artery is severely restricted but not entirely blocked.
#2. Demand Ischemia:
Demand ischemia is another type of heart attack where blockages in the arteries may not be present. It happens when a patient’s heart needs more oxygen than is available in the body’s supply.
#3. Silent Heart Attacks:
A heart attack does not always have obvious symptoms. In fact, a heart attack can happen without a person knowing it. These are often referred to as silent heart attacks.
#4. Coronary Artery Spasm:
A coronary artery spasm is when the artery wall tightens and blood flow through the artery is restricted.
#5. Cardiac Arrest:
Cardiac arrest is not a heart attack, but a term used when a person’s heart stops beating. It can be due to a heart attack or occur as a primary event.
Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg Can Help
Heart health becomes more important as we get older, and the trusted care team at Comfort Keepers can help. Our caregivers can remind clients to take medication, provide transportation to scheduled appointments, and support physician-prescribed exercise regimens and diets. Above all, our goal is to see that clients have the means to find the joy and happiness in each day, regardless of age or acuity.
Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg Offers a Wide Range of Private Home Senior Care Services
For families concerned about the health and well-being of aging loved ones, we can help with home care services, including Alzheimer’s and dementia care, in-home personal care, respite care, specialized care, in-home nursing, end-of-life care, senior living transition services, and much more!
Comfort Keepers® professional caregivers provide services to ensure safety, health, and happiness without the stress of moving to an assisted living or rehabilitation facility. Individually tailored care plans account for living arrangements, medical issues, physical restrictions, personalities, expectations, and more.
Our Interactive Caregiving™ Approach Enables Top-Notch Homecare
Interactive Caregiving™ provides a system of care that addresses safety, nutrition, mind, body, and activities of daily living (ADLs). Our compassionate caregivers can provide a personalized home care plan for your loved one, allowing them to enjoy a healthier, safer, and more meaningful retirement at home.
Comfort Keepers® is the Most Trusted Name in Senior Care in Winnipeg
Our in-home caregivers ensure our seniors are physically, socially, and mentally engaged. In addition, we provide options, activities, events, and resources for seniors that might otherwise not be available.
Locally Owned and Operated In-Home Personal Care for Seniors
Our caregivers live and work in the Winnipeg area. We know the area and how to assist our clients using local resources. Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg is here to help you and your loved ones get the best care possible. If you live in Winnipeg and require homecare services for senior personal care and wellbeing, contact Comfort Keepers® at (204)-488-4600.
Accredited Home Care for Seniors in Winnipeg
Comfort Keepers® Winnipeg is accredited with Exemplary Standing with Accreditation Canada. Accreditation is an intensive process in which industry experts examine an organization’s processes, policies, and procedures against quality standards. To achieve accredited status, Comfort Keepers® offices met or exceeded the rigorous standards for Home Care companies, as defined by Accreditation Canada.
References
American Heart Association. “About Heart Attacks.” Web. 2016.
WebMD. “Heart Attacks and Heart Disease.” Web.
Unity Point Health. “10 Surprising Facts About Heart Attacks (Infographic).” Web. 2014.
Government of Canada. “Heart disease in Canada: Highlights from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System” Web. 2017.
