Heart attacks are serious medical emergencies that require immediate attention from a doctor. You could be at risk of a deadly heart attack – or myocardial infarction – if you develop persistent diarrhoea, it’s been revealed.
Heart attacks are caused by a lack of blood reaching the heart.
Without enough blood, the heart could become seriously damaged – and it may even be life-threatening.
A heart attack could also be a symptom of coronary heart disease, which is where fatty deposits build up in the arteries, which limits the amount of blood reaching the heart.
One of the most unusual signs of a heart attack is persistent diarrhoea, it’s been claimed.
Some patients that have a myocardial infarction develop some gastrointestinal symptoms, according to cardiologist and Vectorious Medical Technologies’ Medical Director, Dr Leor Perl.
These can include feeling sick, or developing a painful stomach ache.
In some patients, diarrhoea may be a sign of a heart attack, he added.
But, just because you have diarrhoea, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you are at risk of having a heart attack.
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“Heart attacks actually tend to present themselves in a very heterogeneous manner,” Leor told Express Health.
“While the classic symptoms are crushing [or pressure-type] retrosternal pain, it is completely not uncommon for patients to report several other symptoms.
“The sub-populations we are especially attentive in this regard are the elderly, diabetic patients, and women.
“Here are some of the more common ‘atypical’ symptoms: Gastrointestinal symptoms – nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, even diarrhoea -, loss of consciousness, syncope or fainting, shortness of breath, general malaise or weakness.”
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Some heart attack patients have also reported an impending feeling of doom, Dr Leor added.
Back pain and heartburn could also be caused by a heart attack.
Your diarrhoea, or other “atypical” heart attack symptoms, are more likely to be caused by myocardial infarction if they’re accompanied by more common symptoms.
But you should consider speaking to a doctor if your diarrhoea lasts longer than seven days.
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More common heart attack symptoms include severe chest pain, having a radiating pain in your arm, and suddenly feeling very dizzy.
But you can lower your risk of a heart attack by making some small diet or lifestyle changes.
Eating a healthy, balanced diet will lower your chances of fatty deposits in your arteries.
If you think you, or someone you know, may be having a heart attack, it’s crucial that you dial 999 straight away.
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