It’s sad–though unfortunately truthful–attribute assigned to many Filipino: When it comes to our health, we just don’t seem to learn. This is especially true when it comes to taking care of our heart.

Year after year, the Department of Health has been educating everyone that cardiovascular diseases should be taken more seriously. Simply put, we have to take care of our heart by pursuing a healthier lifestyle.

Yet, heart diseases continue to top the list of the leading cause of death on the Philippines every year.

It’s about time we take it upon ourselves to stop this silent killer, and a good place to start is to identify the triggers that cause heart attack. Knowing these first hand should encourage everyone to get checked by a medical professional and prevent complications, or worse, untimely death.

1. Feeling pain in the chest area.

Some incidents of heart attacks do not come in clear signs but rather come as a surprise. You may think that you’re healthy because you do not feel anything, but you could be wrong. Chest pain is the most common sign of a heart danger, and it’s one of the symptoms that you should not ignore.

If you are close to having an attack, you will feel pain, pressure or tightness in your chest. Usually, the pain lasts for more than few minutes and it goes away but there is a high tendency that it will come back.

Doctors also suggest not to ignore the pain you feel because attacks can happen silently, and you would not want this to happen to you. This kind of attack increases the risk of death and happens when the blood flow to the heart is cut off completely.

2. Getting nauseated, fatigued, or experiencing stomach pain

Like any person, you are busy most of the time because of work, family, household chores and other extra curricular activities. Getting tired is usual, but for those who have severe heart problems, feeling nauseous and having stomach pain are alarming.

This may be caused by a swollen abdomen due to fluid accumulation. Aside from over fatigue, your food intake will have something to do with it. Vomiting may also occur before a major heart attack. For some, it could be food poisoning, but there is also the possibility that it may be a sign of developing a heart attack.

3. Getting dizzy randomly

Heart attacks may manifest the simplest symptoms, such as dizziness. If you feel dizzy, do not stand up quickly. People who have heart problems could make themselves lightheaded, and it may also cause you the lack of consciousness due to a reduction of blood flow to the brain.

Dizziness may occur when standing up quickly and it is the most common symptom for people who have heart failure because of their abnormal heart function. If you feel any pain, move slowly and observe yourself.

4. Unnecessary sweating without any physical activities

As you age, lack of exercise and weight gain may not be good for you. It causes hot flashes, which are a common complaint, especially for women.

Sweating without doing anything is unusual. If you’re not doing physical activities or stressed, most probably you are about to experience an attack. The sweat is cold and accompanied by a heavy feeling. Once a person experiences this, doctors suggest to take the person to the hospital as quickly as possible.

5. Being out of breath without heavy physical activity

It’s normal to have rapid pulse when you’re doing extreme activities. However, if you’re having an irregular pulse plus the other symptoms on the list, you are close to having a heart failure. Usually, sweating or shortness of breath accompanied by other symptoms such as chest pain or fatigue means your heart is failing

These symptoms should not be ignored because they may lead to a heart attack that could develop into stroke or sudden death.

If you’re experiencing one of these symptoms, visit your nearest hospital. ManilaMed is conveniently located at the heart of Metro Manila and offers diagnostic medical services as well as treatments for heart problems.

Schedule an appointment with our expert physicians today so you can start to #FeelBetter! Contact our Patient Relations Team at (02) 8523-8131 to 65 loc 2062/2203 and 09178672757 for more details.