Heart diseases are quite sneaky and can occur at any time, even without giving you any warning. However, in many cases, heart-related problems are preceded by some warning signs.

In fact, a majority of heart attacks have symptoms that start one month before the actual attack.

What is a Cardiac Episode?

A cardiac episode is a term that includes several heart-related problems such as heart attack, angina, and heart failure. A heart attack occurs when the blood flow to the heart is blocked due to a clot in the coronary artery.

Angina is the feeling of pressure, tightness, or discomfort in the chest due to a lack of blood flow to the heart. Finally, heart failure occurs when the heart does not pump blood efficiently throughout the body.

Warning Signs of a Cardiac Episode

Here are the most common warning signs that you should watch out for one month before a cardiac episode:.

Chest Pain or Discomfort

Chest pain or discomfort is the most common warning sign of a heart attack. It can be felt as a sensation of tightness, pressure, fullness, squeezing, or pain in the chest. Chest pain may also spread to the arms, shoulders, neck, jaw, or back.

The pain may come and go or last for several minutes.

Shortness of Breath

If you experience breathing difficulties even after doing simple activities that never caused you any trouble, then it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. Shortness of breath occurs due to the lack of oxygen supply to the heart muscle.

Unusual Fatigue

If you are feeling exhausted even after sufficient rest, then it could be a warning sign of heart disease. This happens because the heart has to work harder to pump blood throughout the body, especially when there is a blockage in the coronary artery.

Dizziness or Fainting

Dizziness or fainting is another warning sign of a heart attack. This happens when the heart struggles to pump blood throughout the body due to a reduced blood flow, leading to a drop in blood pressure.

Heart Palpitations

If you feel that your heart skipped a beat or raced suddenly, then it could be a sign that your coronary arteries are getting blocked, leading to heart palpitations.

Swollen Ankles or Feet

Swollen ankles or feet are often a warning sign of heart disease, indicating that the heart is not able to pump blood efficiently. The swelling occurs due to fluid build-up in the tissues of legs and feet.

Excessive Sweating

If you experience excessive sweating, especially during cold weather or at rest, then it could be a sign of a heart attack.

This happens because the heart struggles to pump blood throughout the body, leading to increased energy expenditure and sweating.

Indigestion or Nausea

If you experience indigestion or nausea, especially during physical activity, then it could be a warning sign of a heart attack. Indigestion occurs due to the reduced blood flow to the digestive system, which causes difficulty in digestion.

Irregular Heartbeat

If you feel that your heart is beating in an irregular pattern, then it could be a warning sign of heart disease. This happens when the electrical impulses that control the heartbeat become disrupted due to a reduced blood flow to the heart muscle.

Anxiety and Mood Changes

If you experience sudden changes in mood such as depression, anxiety, or irritability, then it could be a warning sign of a heart attack.

These changes occur because the heart struggles to pump blood throughout the body, leading to emotional instability and mood swings.

Conclusion

Ignoring the warning signs of a cardiac episode can be life-threatening. Therefore, if you experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor immediately.

Timely detection and treatment of heart-related problems can save your life.