Question about heart attacks.....?

Question

I'm pretty new to exercising and I'm not in the best shape. What I want to know is: What are signs that I'm about to have a heart attack? I was just exercising not too long ago, and I stopped because I wasn't sure of this. I mean, having a heart attack while exercising kinda defeats the purpose, lol.

Answer 1

imagine an elephant sitting on your chest, and a toothache in your neck and left arm at the same time, you become cold and clammy and somewhat nauseaus. You have difficulty breathing. Some of these symptoms can happen or all of them can happen at once.
If you have been sedentary and want to start exercising, the first thing to do is get a check up to make sure you are healthy enough to exercise and what level of exercise you should begin with.

Answer 2

Heart Attack Symptoms and Warning Signs

If you think you're having a heart attack, call 9-1-1 or your emergency medical system immediately.

Some heart attacks are sudden and intense — the "movie heart attack," where no one doubts what's happening. But most heart attacks start slowly, with mild pain or discomfort. Often people affected aren't sure what's wrong and wait too long before getting help. Here are signs that can mean a heart attack is happening:

Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.
Shortness of breath. May occur with or without chest discomfort.

Other signs: These may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness

As with men, women's most common heart attack symptom is chest pain or discomfort. But women are somewhat more likely than men to experience some of the other common symptoms, particularly shortness of breath, nausea/vomiting, and back or jaw pain.

If you or someone you're with has chest discomfort, especially with one or more of the other signs, don't wait longer than a few minutes (no more than 5) before calling for help. Call 9-1-1... Get to a hospital right away.

Calling 9-1-1 is almost always the fastest way to get lifesaving treatment. Emergency medical services staff can begin treatment when they arrive — up to an hour sooner than if someone gets to the hospital by car.

The staff are also trained to revive someone whose heart has stopped. You'll also get treated faster in the hospital if you come by ambulance.

If you can't access the emergency medical services (EMS), have someone drive you to the hospital right away. If you're the one having symptoms, don't drive yourself, unless you have absolutely no other option.

How do I know if a heart attack has occurred?

A doctor who's studied the results of several tests must diagnose a heart attack. The doctor will review the patient's complete medical history.
give a physical examination.
use an electrocardiogram (e-lek"tro-KAR'de-o-gram) (ECG or EKG) to discover any abnormalities caused by damage to the heart. An ECG is a medical device that makes a graphical record of the heart's electrical activity.
sometimes use a blood test to detect abnormal levels of certain enzymes in the bloodstream.

Blood tests confirm (or refute) suspicions raised in the early stages of evaluation that may occur in an emergency room, intensive care unit or urgent care setting. These tests are sometimes called heart damage markers or cardiac enzymes.

Related AHA publications:

Heart and Stroke Facts
"What Are the Warning Signs of Heart Attack?" in Answers By Heart kit (also in Spanish kit)
"What Is a Heart Attack?" in Answers By Heart kit

AHA Heart Attack Web Site

Answer 3

If you were having a heart attack you would know if it was anything like when my husband has one. But there are the ones they call silent heart attacks. The ones that somewhere down the road your doctor will say hmmm you have had a heart attack.

Answer 4

I can't answer that because EMT school was too long ago. But you might try walking instead as your first exercise.