Do you know if your lifestyle decreases or increases your risk of heart attacks? Some of the major contributing factors to heart attacks are poor diet, obesity, smoking, low physical activity, alcohol abuse, hypertension, and diabetes.
Taking into account that around 1.5 million heart attacks and strokes happen on a yearly basis in the U.S., it is of utmost importance to improve our lifestyles, but also to know the major indicating signs so that we can react timely.
With this in mind, this article will present the 8 major early heart attack symptoms that we discovered on Hack Spirit.

8 Most Common Heart Attack Symptoms
- Pain and discomfort in the chest
If there is a blocked artery in your body or if you are experiencing a heart attack, you may feel tightness, pressure, and pain in the chest. Though both men and women can experience this symptom, it is more common in men whereas it only happens in 30 percent of women. The pain may also spread to both or one of the arms, the neck, shoulders, stomach or jaw.
- Strong perspiration
Sudden sweating or sweating a lot may indicate a pending heart attack. Patients describe this symptom as “sweating for no obvious reason”. Although it may happen in both genders, women are more prone to it and may confuse it with hot flashes happening during menopause. The sweating may be stronger at night
Though it can be a result of other health problems, it may also signal a heart attack and heart illness. Usually, this symptom is the most common in men older than 50, but women may also experience it. Therefore, be careful about rapid hair loss, especially one happening on the crown of the head.
- Shortness of breath