A heart attack often seems like it comes out of nowhere, but your body may give you subtle warning signs one month before an attack. These early symptoms, frequently mistaken for stress, fatigue, or even indigestion, are begging for your attention and recognizing them could save your life!
According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), one person dies of cardiovascular disease every 33 seconds, making heart disease the leading cause of death for men and women.
“A heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction, happens when a part of the heart muscle doesn’t get enough blood,” the CDC writes. “The more time that passes without treatment to restore blood flow, the greater the damage to the heart muscle.”
But a recent study – published in the National Library of Medicine – explains that some symptoms are present one month before the attack, giving people ample time to get medical help.
Let’s review some of these symptoms so you can identify when you’re having heart-related issues.
Unusual fatigue
Feeling tired after a long day is normal, but extreme, unexplained fatigue? That could be a warning sign. Many women report feeling drained weeks before a heart attack – sometimes even without any chest pain.
Warning signs:
You’re exhausted even after a full night’s sleep.
Simple tasks (like walking or climbing stairs) leave you unusually drained.
Sudden, severe fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest.
Many people dismiss this as stress or overwork, but if you notice this persistent tiredness, especially paired with other symptoms, don’t ignore it.
Shortness of breath
If you suddenly feel like you can’t catch your breath, even without exercise or exertion, your heart could be struggling.
Warning signs:
You’re gasping for air after light activity (or even while resting).
You feel lightheaded or dizzy along with breathlessness.
Lying down makes breathing harder.
This symptom is frequently mistaken for anxiety, asthma, or lack of fitness, but sudden breathlessness could indicate a heart attack in progress.
Chest pain
Chest pain is the most well-known heart attack symptom, but it doesn’t always show up the way you expect.
