A HEART attack is often associated with chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweat and nausea.
While these are typical signs, some patients may exhibit different symptoms.
Subang Jaya Medical Centre consultant cardiologist Dr Navin Sukilan says atypical symptoms include stomach pain, which is often dismissed as gastric.
"The pain can mimic gastric cancer in certain cases. In a 20-year-old, we can assume it's gastric, but if it's a 40-year-old patient, we have to rule out a cardiac event," he says.
Other not-so-common symptoms include fainting episodes, right-sided chest pain and shoulder pain. The severity may vary from patient to patient.
Diabetics, meanwhile, may experience a "silent attack". They do not have any pain and may just experience vomiting, or a feeling of faintness or tiredness.
"Due to long-standing diabetes, their nerves have been affected so they cannot transmit or carry the sensation of pain," says Dr Navin.
Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Malaysians. In fact, 1.7 million Malaysians are living with one or more of the three major risk factors for heart disease — diabetes, hypertension and high cholesterol — based on the National Health and Morbidity Survey 2019.
According to data from the Department of Statistics, around 17 per cent of deaths in the country in 2020 were due to ischaemic heart disease.
Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are also the leading cause of death globally, accounting for 17.9 million fatalities annually, states the World Health Organisation.
ALL AT RISK
Dr Navin says even young individuals can suffer a heart attack, especially if they have been living an unhealthy lifestyle.
For example, if a person starts smoking at age 15 or 16, and continues that habit, it's very possible that he or she may have a heart attack by age 40.
The same applies to those who live a sedentary life and consume a poor diet that is high in fat and cholesterol.
"Deposition of cholesterol and plaque begins in your 20s and when you don't take care of yourself, it's going to progress over the years," says Dr Navin.
Obesity is also on the rise among young people and stress levels are high, all of which increase the risk of developing CVD that leads to early death.
TAKE ACTION
FOR prevention of heart attack, it's never too late to start making changes.
Practise the tips below for a heart-healthy lifestyle:
EXERCISE
For 30 minutes three to four times a week.
CUT
Down on rice and red meat. Instead, consume more fruits, vegetables, fish and lean meat.
INCLUDE
Wholegrains, nuts, legumes and soya products in your diet.
REDUCE
Sugary drinks.
LIMIT
Sodium content in meals;
HAVE
Dinner three to four hours before bedtime.
STOP
Smoking.
SCHEDULE
A heart screening once every two years by age 40, or once a year if you're high risk.