The American Heart Association reports that an estimated one out of every five deaths in the United States is caused by a heart attack. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among men. If you're with someone who clutches his chest and falls to the floor, it's obvious that something is wrong. But all too often, symptoms of a heart attack are not that blatant. In fact, men are more likely than not to take an aspirin and go to bed when experiencing symptoms of a heart attack.
Instructions
Recognizing the Signs
1. Chest pain is the first sign that indicates a man may be experiencing a heart attack. The pain doesn't have to be intense---perhaps just a feeling of pressure, squeezing, heaviness, tightness or numbness. This feeling may last for more than a few minutes; it may also go away and then resurface.
2. Abdominal pain is another common complaint a man might have prior to being diagnosed with a heart attack. He may mistake this feeling for indigestion or heartburn.
3. Other areas of the body where he may experience pain or discomfort are the arms, neck and back. Because pain in the left arm is a well-known sign of a heart attack, he may begin showing signs of anxiety, such as breaking out in a cold sweat or losing color in his skin.
4. In many cases, it's when a man experiences shortness of breath---or has difficulty breathing---that he or a person nearby takes notice. Dizziness may accompany this feeling, along with feeling weak, lightheaded or nauseous.
5. A person may collapse and lose consciousness during a heart attack. He may or may not respond to commands and questions. His pulse may race or his heart could stop beating.
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