The classic picture of a heart attack is a man clutching his chest. In real life, many heart attacks begin quietly: a heaviness that spreads to the jaw or left arm, sudden sweating, breathlessness on climbing stairs, or a feeling of indigestion that does not go away.
Women, older adults and people with diabetes are more likely to have these quieter symptoms. Diabetes can dull the nerves that carry pain, so the main sign may simply be unexplained tiredness or breathlessness.
If you notice chest discomfort lasting more than five minutes, call our emergency line and chew a 300 mg aspirin if you are not allergic. Do not drive yourself. Every 30 minutes of delay costs heart muscle that will not grow back.
The best time to think about your heart is before anything happens. A yearly lipid profile, blood pressure check and HbA1c after 35 catch most risks early.
